I have just finished reading this book based on a Historical event. Its is part of a series of books, written in the first person, to describe various historical events i.e. The Blitz - Victorian TimesWhen did it happen?
The Great Plague happened between 1664-1666.
What caused it?
The great plague was caused by a combination of events. Plague had been around for a couple of centuries but advanced to epic proportions due to:
- a mild winter that did not massively decrease the rat population.
- a hot spring and summer meant many female rats gave birth to two litters.
- So London was swarming with rats by September 1665.
- Using the rats and stray dogs and the many cats that lived in the city, the fleas that carried the plague moved easily around the city.
- Combined with the filth that littered London, this provided the perfect environment for London to be consumed by the ‘Great Plague.
What was the Great Plague?
- The classic sign of the bubonic plague was the appearance of buboes (hard swellings) in the groin, neck, and armpits which oozed pus and bled.
- The bubonic plague had a mortality (Death) rate of 30 -75%.
- Symptoms included a fever between 101 and 105 degrees fahrenheit (38-41% c), headaches, painful aching joints, nausea and vomiting, and a general feeling of malaise or illness.
- 4 out of 5 people died within 8 days of being infected.
- The bubonic plague was the most common of the three types.
AN IMPORTANT BUT TRAGIC EVENT: London burned down in 1666, killing many of the rats and helping slow down the plague.
AN INTERSTING FACT - William Shakespeare lived in the time when the bubonic plague, sometimes referred to as the Black Death. He was known to have a terrible fear of the deadly disease and its consequences. This is hardly surprising as it touched so many areas of his life, including his life as an actor, at the Globe Theater. There were high death rates amongst Elizabethan children and this was true his own brothers and sisters - some of whom were also struck down by the Bubonic plague (Black Death).
USEFUL INFORMATION
Some herbs were known as 'plague herbs'. Rosemary was carried in a neck pouch to be sniffed when travelling through suspicious areas. Bay, vervain and angelica were also thought to ward off the plague.
THE DOCTORS - read the full story here: http://scienceblogs.com/retrospectacle/2008/01/bird_hats_and_wax_pants_antipl.php
ExtractThe doctors were very afraid of getting sick themselves. 'Plague doctors' in 16th century Europe wore in strange, protective outfits in an attempt to stave off being infected themselves. While perhaps having some small effect to prevent infection, the odd costumes surely had a large effect on scaring their patients. However, the intention of the extreme costume was to prevent the doctor from coming into contact with 'miasmas' (bad air).
Fun fact, Mad Magazine's world famous Spy Vs. Spy characters were based on the plague doctor's outfits.
These costumes (pictured above) consisted of a huge beaked hat made of bronze, a hollow walking stick, pants and a gown coated in wax, and leather gloves. Since the cause of the Plague was still believed to be 'bad air,' the hat's "beak" was stuffed with aromatic herbs and spices which were thought to purify the air the doctor breathed. Aromatic air was thought to be antiseptic air, and the scent covered the malodor of rot and death. The hat also offered eye protection in the form of crystal eye-pieces. The doctor would sometimes place garlic in the beak and directly in his mouth.
The doctor's clothes, and undergarments, were usually treated with either wax or soaked in camphor oil or other preservative liquids. This was thought to create a makeshift seal against the 'bad air' or further purify it.
The hollow, perforated pointing stick could also be stuffed with herbs and was waved in front of the doctor to "purify" his path. The stick also had the bonus use of pushing Plague-infected people away from the doctor if they got too close, or directing some course of action without having to do it themselves. The stick could be used to examine an infected patient without actually touching them.
The hollow, perforated pointing stick could also be stuffed with herbs and was waved in front of the doctor to "purify" his path. The stick also had the bonus use of pushing Plague-infected people away from the doctor if they got too close, or directing some course of action without having to do it themselves. The stick could be used to examine an infected patient without actually touching them.
First, protecting the eyes, nose and mouth was a good idea since Y. pestis can easily enter through any mucous membrane. In addition, the wax-coated clothes might have prevented fleas from burrowing towards and biting the doctor, but unless his trouser legs were sealed he would still get bitten by the obsessive amount of fleas who infested the city and carried the disease.
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