The Black Plague/Black Death

What is the black plague/the black death?

The black death was a bubonic plague that wiped out millions of people and affected Europe. It started in 1346.

How did the black death spread?

It was passed on from fleas, to rats, then to people. The fleas would bite the rats, releasing a numbing substance. The rats came from ships that had goods from trades.

What were the symptoms of the plague?

At first, the symptoms represented ones of the flu, such as fever, coughing, runny nose, and sneezing. People then had swollen and painful lymph nodes which were called buboes which were white on top, red, and bruised.

What were the doctors called during the black plague and what did they do and have?

Doctors were called “plague doctors” and they wore high hats to represent their high status, an overshirt, a stick, leather gloves, a mask with glass eyes and a beak with herbs + flowers. They had an overcoat and often carried a medallion to protect them and they also carried posies which connects to the song, “ring around the rosy.”