The+Black+Death

The Black Death __**What is the Black Death?**__


 * The Black Death was a plague that overtook Europe during the middle ages.
 * The Black Death killed over 20 million Europeans.
 * Black Death was first found in fleas that transferred to rats that later transferred to humans.
 * Three types of the plague:
 * Bubonic--causes tumor-like growths on victim's armpits and necks
 * Pneumonic--attacks respiratory system. Can be transferred by breathing the air of a victim. Considered more dangerous than the Bubonic.
 * Septicemic--attacks the bloodstream.

__**Symptoms**__


 * Symptoms of the Bubonic plague:
 * Swollen lymph nodes that are found near the neck, armpit, or groin.
 * Fever, chills, headaches, intolerance to light, and vomiting were common side effects.
 * Symtoms of the Pneumonic plague:
 * Difficulty in breathing
 * Severe cough
 * High fever
 * Coughing up blood
 * Symptoms of the Septicemic plague:
 * Low blood pressure
 * Organ failure
 * Vomiting
 * Fever
 * Shock

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__**Treatment of The Black Death**__

 * Black Death was treated by lancing the buboes and applying butter, onion and garlic.
 * Arsenic, lily root, and dried toad were also used to try and treat the black death.
 * Because many believed that the disease was transmitted through the air and came from the dead and dying, they burned incense to ward off the smell.
 * Some also believed that sound could cure it, so church bells rang to drive off the plague.

__**Effects of The Black Death**__

 * Prices and wages rose
 * greater value placed on labor
 * Decline in the Feudal system
 * People became disillusioned with the church and its power and influence declined
 * It resulted in the English Reform

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__**Sources:**__

"The Black Death, 1348," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2001). “The Black Death” http://www.middle-ages.org, n.p., n.d. "The Black Death" http://www.the-orb.net, n.p., n.d.