Over the next four days, the victim would break out in a fever, vomiting, bleeding under the skin (manifested as dark blotches) and painful spasms. The first day saw large, apple-sized swellings which typically appeared around the armpit, neck and groin. From there, it jumped from person to person, either through direct/close contact and contact with infected bodily fluids. The result was when the flea bit a human, it would regurgitate the infected substance into the wound and spread the sickness. The bacteria infected the flea and caused a blockage in its feeding tubes. The commonly accepted theory was that it initially infected rats, which were then bitten by fleas. The most likely culprit was a bacterium dubbed Yersinia pestis. By the 1400s, it was reduced to 2.5 million. Most figures show the population in the 1300s in Europe was about 5 million. Believed to have begun in Central or East Asia and travelling along the merchant route known as the Silk Road, it swiftly spread to Europe. But before that can be examined, we must first look at the circumstances which created them.Ĭonsidered to be one of the worst epidemics in history, the Black Death or the Great Plague began in 1348 and endured to 1350. But who were these strange men and what was the reason behind their peculiar garb? This post will serve to answer these questions. Harbingers of disease and foreboding symbols of ill intent, embodying the principle of long abandoned medical practices, seen today as laughable and silly. Today we know them as the Plague Doctors. The Italians called them Medico della Peste. A mask with a beak, like a bizarre bird that walks like a man. A strange figure, dressed in a sweeping black robe and carrying a wooden cane, their face obscured by both a wide brimmed hat and a very peculiar mask. It might be one that you are somewhat familiar with. Castle team member Daniel has been looking at the history behind a very sinister looking individual.
With the beginning of the roll out of the Coronavirus vaccine, we thought it might be time to have a look at another of our Castle Characters, and at how our ancestors dealt with pandemic illnesses.
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