The Great Plague 1665

The 1665 Plague

• In the summer of 1665, 70,000 people out of a population of 140,000 died of the bubonic plague in London.

• Those that left London had to get a special medical certificate to prove that they were plague free and safe to travel.

• The Lord Mayor issued many rules in an attempt to stop the plague from spreading - too little,too late.

Causes

• Astronomers had noticed an unusual alignment between Mars and Saturn, and had also spotted a comet. This was a bad omen.

• Once again, many believed the plague was a punishment from God.

• The most popular theory was warm weather and miasma.

• The actual cause was rats carrying the disease on ships, with fleas biting people to spread it

Treatment

• Carrying a lucky hare’s foot.

• Smoking tobacco

• Pressing leeches, dried toads, or plucked chickens against sores.

• Carrying a charm with the letters ‘ABRACADABRA’ in a triangle.

Prevention

• Plague sufferers were quarantined to prevent the spread. Richer people escaped to the countryside.

• Cats, dogs and other animals were killed.

• People carried pomanders - bags filled with strong smelling herbs.

• The government outlawed large meetings in towns and hired searchers to investigate houses.

Similarities between the 1348 and 1665 plague

• Many people still believe that God has sent them the plague to punish them for their sins.

• The government ordered days of public prayer and fasting so that people could confess their sins and beg God for forgiveness.

• Some blamed the movement of the planets and miasma.

• Doctors had no cure for the plague. Many physicians followed wealthy patients out of London and into the countryside.

• There was no real understanding of cause or treatment in both plagues.

Differences between 1348 and 1665

• There was a more scientific approach in 1665, from the weekly ‘Bills of Morality’ observers linked dirt and disease after realising the highest number of deaths were in the poorest, dirtiest areas.

• Methods of preventing the plague were more carefully thought out in 1665.

• The mayor of London did his best to stop the plague spreading. Victims were shut in their homes and watchmen stood guard to stop anyone going in and out.

• When anyone died their body was inspected to confirm that plague was the cause. Bedding had to be hung in the smoke of fires before it was used.

• An effort was made to stay clean. Householders were ordered to sweep the street outside their door.

• Plays, bear-baiting and games were banned to prevent large crowds.