The+Plague


 * THE BUBONIC PLAGUE**

The Bubonic Plague, also known as the "Black Death" was an infection in the lymphatic system that killed a vast majority of people between the 14th and 16th centuries. This plague was thought to have orginated in the from Central Asia and began its spread to most Europian areas in the 1300's. The bacteria that caused the infections was known as "Yersinia Pestis." People contracted the disease by bites from fleas that were typically carried by rats and other rodents. The plague killed an estimated amount of 75 million people. Although a fatal disease, this ailment forced the people of the world to exit their dark age and explore new areas while making scientific and medical discoveries along the way. Throughout the years breakouts of the plague have become scarce, and antibiotics have been created to treat it so that an event, such as the major one during the 16th century, can be prevented.

I. Symptoms
 * Nausea
 * Headaches
 * Painful aching in the joints
 * General feeling of malaise
 * High Fever
 * Chills
 * Shock
 * Weakness
 * Abdominal pain
 * Bleeding underneath the skin or other organs

II. Statistics
 * Reduced the world population from 450 million people to 350-375 million people
 * Four out of every five people who contracted the plague died within eight days
 * Killed 1/3 of Europe's population
 * The "Bubonic Plague" was only one of the three ways plague could affect people (bubonic, septicemic, pneumonic)
 * There has not been a case of person-to-person infection in the United States since 1924
 * Symptoms typically develop within 1 to 3 days after being exposed to airborne droplets of plague bacteria

III. Study Guide media type="custom" key="2710307"
 * 1) What is another name for the Bubonic Plague?
 * 2) Where did the plague originate from?
 * 3) What was the virus carried by?
 * 4) What are two syptoms of the plague?
 * 5) About how many people were killed by the plague?
 * 6) During what time period was the plague the worse?
 * 7) What famous person took precaution from the plague?
 * 8) What system didn't exist during this time period?
 * 9) How did people avoid the plague?

IV. Resources
 * http://www.medicinenet.com/plague/
 * [|www.tramline.com/tours/lit/shake/_tourlaunch1.htm]
 * http://www.themiddleages.net/plague.html
 * http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm