"Black Death" is a disease that legends currently compose. In fact, this is the name of the plague epidemic that hit Europe, Asia, North Africa and even Greenland in the 14th century. Pathology proceeded mainly in the bubonic form. The territorial focus of the disease was the Gobi Desert. Where this place is located, many know. Gobi belongs to Eurasia. The Black Sea arose precisely because of the small Ice Age, which served as an impetus for a sharp and dangerous climate change.
The bubonic plague took the lives of 60 million people. Moreover, in some regions the death toll reached two thirds of the population. Due to the unpredictability of the disease, as well as the inability to cure it at that time, religious ideas began to flourish among people. Belief in higher powers became commonplace. At the same time, the persecution of the so-called "poisoners", "witches", "sorcerers" began, which, according to religious fanatics, sent an epidemic to people.
This period has remained in history as a time of impatient people who have been defeated by fear, hatred, distrust and numerous superstitions. In fact, the outbreak of bubonic plague, of course, has a scientific explanation.
The myth of the bubonic plague
When historians looked for ways to get the disease into Europe, they settled on the idea that there was a plague in Tatarstan. More precisely, the Tatars brought it.
In 1348, the Crimean Tatars , led by Khan Dzhanybek during the siege of the Genoese fortress of Kafa (Feodosiya) threw the corpses of people who had previously died from the plague. After the liberation, Europeans began to leave the city, spreading the disease throughout Europe.
But the so-called "plague in Tatarstan" turned out to be nothing more than a speculation of people who do not know how to explain the sudden and deadly outbreak of "black death".
The theory was defeated because it became known that a pandemic was not transmitted between people. She could have been infected by small rodents or insects.
Such a “general” theory has existed for a rather long time and contains many mysteries. In fact, the epidemic of the 14th century plague , as it turned out later, began for several reasons.
Natural Causes of a Pandemic
In addition to a sharp climate change in Eurasia, an outbreak of bubonic plague was preceded by several other environmental factors. Among them:
- global drought in China, followed by widespread famine;
- in Henan province, a massive invasion of locusts ;
- in Beijing, rains and hurricanes dominated for a long time.
Like the "Justinian Plague," as the first pandemic in history is called, the "black death" overtook people after massive natural disasters. She even went the same way as her predecessor.
The decrease in human immunity, provoked by an environmental factor, has led to mass morbidity. The catastrophe reached such proportions that the heads of churches had to open rooms for the sick population.
The plague in the Middle Ages also had socio-economic conditions.
Socio-economic causes of bubonic plague
Natural factors could not provoke such a serious outbreak on their own. They were supported by such socio-economic prerequisites:
- military operations in France, Spain, Italy;
- the domination of the Mongol-Tatar yoke over part of Eastern Europe;
- enhanced trade;
- rapidly developing poverty;
- too high population density.
Another important factor that triggered the plague invasion was the belief, which implied that healthy believers should wash themselves as little as possible. According to the saints of that time, contemplation of one's own naked body leads a person into temptation. Some followers of the church were so imbued with this opinion that they did not plunge into water even once in their entire conscious lives.
Europe in the 14th century was not considered a pure power. The population did not monitor garbage disposal. Waste was thrown directly from the windows, slop and the contents of the night pots were poured onto the road, and livestock blood flowed there. All this later fell into the river, from which people took water for cooking and even for drinking.
Like the Justinian Plague, the "black death" was provoked by a large number of rodents that lived in close contact with people. In the literature of that time, you can find many records on what to do in the case of an animal bite. As you know, rats and marmots are carriers of the disease, so people are panicky afraid of even one of their kind. In an effort to overcome rodents, many forgot about everything, including their family.
How it all began
The origin of the disease was the Gobi Desert. Where is the place that was the immediate focus is unknown. It is believed that nearby Tatars declared a hunt for marmots, which are carriers of the plague. The meat and fur of these animals were highly valued. In such conditions, infection was inevitable.
Due to drought and other negative weather conditions, many rodents left their shelters and moved closer to people where they could find more food.
Hebei Province in China suffered the most. At least 90% of the population died there. This is another reason that gave rise to the opinion that the Tatars provoked the occurrence of the plague. They could lead the disease along the well-known Silk Road.
Then the plague reached India, after which it moved to Europe. Surprisingly, only one source of that time mentions the true nature of the disease. It is believed that people were struck by the bubonic form of the plague.
In countries not affected by the pandemic, panic rose in the Middle Ages. The heads of powers sent messengers for information about the disease and forced experts to invent a cure for it. The population of some states, remaining in ignorance, willingly believed rumors that it was raining snakes on infected lands, a fiery wind was blowing, and acid spheres were falling from the sky.
The modern characteristic of bubonic plague
The plague epidemic in Europe claimed countless lives just because people did not have the opportunity to study the disease. Many myths appeared due to ignorance and hopelessness. In fact, the only causative agent of bubonic plague is a bacterium whose carrier is a flea, most often parasitic in black rats.
Low temperatures, a long stay outside the host’s body, thawing cannot destroy the causative agent of “black death”. But against it, solar exposure and drying are effective.
In fact, the bacteria that cause the plague parasitize only in rodents. However, in the absence of a potential host, they can move to a person. In the Middle Ages, living conditions were so unbearable that most of the rodents died. Fleas attacked the remaining animals en masse. Rodents, in turn, weakened due to illness, looked for places to live in which to get food, and found them next to people. So the bubonic plague spread among the population.
Symptoms of plague in humans
Bubonic plague begins to develop from the moment of a bite by an infected flea. Bacteria enter the lymph nodes and begin their vital activity. Suddenly, a person is overcome by chills, his body temperature rises, his headache becomes unbearable, and his facial features become unrecognizable, black spots appear under his eyes. On the second day after infection, the bubo itself appears. So called the enlarged lymph node.
When bacteria are completely absorbed in the nodes, they penetrate the circulatory system, causing the most severe degree of intoxication. As soon as the parasite enters the bloodstream, black spots, hematomas and bleeding appear on the skin and mucous membranes.
A person infected with the plague can be identified immediately. "Black death" is a disease that changes the face and body beyond recognition. Blisters become noticeable on the second day, and the general condition of the patient cannot be called adequate.
The symptoms of plague in humans of the Middle Ages, surprisingly, differ from the signs of the disease of a modern patient.
The clinical picture of the bubonic plague of the Middle Ages
"Black death" is a disease that was recognized in the Middle Ages by the following signs:
- severe fever, chills;
- aggressiveness;
- continuous feeling of fear;
- severe pain in the chest;
- dyspnea;
- coughing up blood;
- blood and waste products turned black;
- on the tongue one could notice a dark coating;
- ulcers and buboes arising on the body exuded an unpleasant odor;
- blurred consciousness.
These symptoms were seen as a sign of imminent and imminent death. If a person received such a sentence, he already knew that he had very little time left. No one tried to deal with such symptoms; they were considered the will of God and the church.
Treatment of bubonic plague in the Middle Ages
Medieval medicine was far from ideal. The doctor who came to examine the patient paid more attention to conversations about whether he confessed than to the treatment itself. This was due to the religious insanity of the population. Saving the soul was considered a much more important task than curing the body. Accordingly, surgical intervention was practically not practiced.
The treatment methods for plague were as follows:
- cutting tumors and cauterizing them with a hot iron;
- use of antidotes;
- applying reptiles to the buboes of the skin;
- stretching the disease with magnets.
At the same time, medieval medicine was still not hopeless. Some doctors of that time advised patients to eat a good diet and wait for the body to cope with the plague on its own. This is the most appropriate treatment theory. Of course, in the conditions of that time, cases of recovery were isolated, but nevertheless they took place.
Only mediocre doctors or young people who wanted to get fame in an extremely risky way were taken to treat the disease. They wore a mask that looked like a bird's head with a pronounced beak. However, this protection did not save everyone, so many doctors died after their patients.
The authorities advised people to adhere to such methods of combating the epidemic:
- Long distance flight. In this case, it was necessary to overcome as many kilometers as possible very quickly. Staying at a safe distance from the disease was necessary as long as possible.
- Drive herds of horses through infected places. It was believed that the breath of these animals cleans the air. For the same purpose, they advised to let different insects into the houses. In a room where a person had recently died of a plague, they placed a saucer with milk, since it was believed that it absorbs the disease. Methods such as breeding spiders in the house and burning a large number of bonfires near the living room were also popular.
- To do everything necessary to interrupt the smell of the plague. It was believed that if a person does not feel the stench emanating from infected people, he is sufficiently protected. That is why many carried flower bouquets with them.
Doctors also advised not to sleep after dawn, not to have an intimate relationship, and not to think about the epidemic and death. These days, this approach seems crazy, but in the Middle Ages people found comfort in it.
Of course, religion was an important factor influencing life during an epidemic.
Religion during the bubonic plague epidemic
Black Death is a disease that frightened people with its obscurity. Therefore, against this background, various religious beliefs arose:
- The plague is a punishment for ordinary human sins, disobedience, a bad attitude to loved ones, the desire to succumb to temptations.
- The plague arose as a result of neglect of faith.
- The epidemic began due to the fact that boots with sharp socks came into fashion, which greatly angered God.
Priests who were required to listen to the confession of dying people often became infected and died. Therefore, often cities were left without church attendants, because they were afraid for their lives.
Against the background of a tense situation, various groups or sects appeared, each of which in its own way explained the cause of the epidemic. In addition, various superstitions were considered among the population, which were considered pure truth.
Superstition during the bubonic plague epidemic
In any, even the most insignificant event, during the epidemic, people saw peculiar signs of fate. Some superstitions were quite amazing:
- If a completely naked woman plows the land around the house, and the rest of the family at this time is indoors, the plague will leave nearby places.
- If you make a scarecrow, symbolizing the plague, and burn it, the disease will recede.
- To prevent the disease from attacking, you need to carry silver or mercury with you.
Many legends formed around the image of the plague. People really believed in them. They were afraid once again to open the door of their house so as not to let in the plague spirit. Even native people cursed among themselves, each sought to save himself and only himself.
Social situation
Oppressed and frightened people eventually came to the conclusion that the so-called outcasts who want death to the entire population spread the plague. The persecution of suspects has begun. They were forcibly dragged to the infirmary. Many people who were recognized as suspects committed suicide. The suicide epidemic has hit Europe. The problem reached such proportions that the authorities threatened those who committed suicide to expose their corpses for all to see.
Since many people were sure that they did not have much to live, they went all out: they were addicted to alcohol and were looking for entertainment with women of easy virtue. This lifestyle reinforced the epidemic.
The pandemic reached such proportions that corpses were taken out at night, dumping them in special pits and burying.
Sometimes it happened that plague patients specifically appeared in society, trying to infect as many enemies as possible. It was also due to the fact that it was believed that the plague would recede if transferred to another.
In the atmosphere of that time, any person who, by any sign, stood out from the crowd, could be considered a poisoner.
The consequences of the "black death"
"Black death" has led to significant consequences in all areas of life. The most significant of them:
- The ratio of blood groups has changed significantly.
- Instability in the political sphere of life.
- Deserted many villages.
- The foundation of feudal relations was laid. Many people, in the workshops of which their sons worked, were forced to hire outside masters.
- Since there were not enough male labor resources to work in the production sector, women began to master this type of activity.
- Medicine has moved to a new stage of development. All kinds of diseases began to be studied and cures for them were invented.
- Due to the lack of people, the servants and lower strata of the population began to demand a better position for themselves. Many insolvent people were the heirs of wealthy deceased relatives.
- Attempts were made to mechanize production.
- Housing and rental prices have fallen significantly.
- At a tremendous pace, the self-awareness of a population that did not want to blindly obey the government grew. This resulted in various riots and revolutions.
- Significantly weakened the influence of the church on the population. People saw the helplessness of the priests in the fight against the plague, ceased to trust them. Again, rituals and beliefs previously forbidden by the church came into use. The age of “witches” and “sorcerers” began. The number of priests has decreased significantly. Uneducated and inappropriate people were often taken to such positions. Many did not understand, because of which death takes away not only criminals, but also good, kind people. In this regard, Europe doubted the power of God.
- After such a large-scale pandemic, the plague did not finally leave the population. Periodically, epidemics broke out in different cities, killing people.
Today, many researchers doubt that the second pandemic occurred precisely in the form of bubonic plague.
Opinions on the second pandemic
There is doubt that the "black death" is a synonym for the period of prosperity of the bubonic plague. There are explanations for this:
- Plague patients rarely have symptoms such as fever and sore throat. However, modern scholars have noted that there are many errors in the narratives of the time. Moreover, some works are artistic and contradict not only other stories, but also themselves.
- The third pandemic was able to defeat only 3% of the population, while the "black death" mowed at least a third of Europe. But there is also an explanation for this. During the second pandemic, terrible unsanitary conditions were observed, which caused more problems than the disease.
- Buboes that occur when a person is affected were located under the armpits and in the neck. It would be logical if they arose on their feet, since it is there that the easiest way to get a flea. However, this fact is not perfect. It turns out that along with the rat flea, the spread of the plague is a human louse. And there were many such insects in the Middle Ages.
- Typically, an epidemic is preceded by a mass death of rats. Such a phenomenon was not observed in the Middle Ages. This fact can also be challenged, given the presence of human lice.
- A flea that carries the disease feels best in a warm and humid climate. The pandemic also flourished in the coldest winters.
- The spread of the epidemic was record.
As a result of the research, it was found that the genome of modern plague strains is identical to the disease of the Middle Ages, which proves that it was the bubonic form of pathology that became the "black death" for people of that time. Therefore, any other opinions are automatically moved to the wrong category. But a more detailed study of the issue is still ongoing.