Research Paper Example on The Black Death

The Black Death is a bubonic plague that began in 1346 in southwestern China and traveled through Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe until 1353 (The Plague, 1331-1770). The bubonic plague’s core is bacteria and this type of plague transmits from a flea bite (The Plague, 1331-1770). Rodents, fleas, humans, and mammals are the culprits for hosting the bacteria (Horgan). At first, rodents carry the bacteria and then become deceased from the infection, which leads to fleas feeding on the rodents, and in turn, fleas would bite humans or mammals. The reason this plague made its way through Europe, so rapidly is because of: the previous plagues’ that occurred in Europe, the unsanitary living conditions (Horgan), the crave for exploration and/or trade which resulted in direct human and animal contact. The bacteria from previous plagues’ were never killed off completely, so it settled until it massed up again (Horgan). Victims developed painful lymph node swellings, covered in dark blotches, and a high-grade fever (Horgan).

(Gaylord, and CBS News team).

Correspondingly, there was a set social class in Europe during this era that consisted of the upper class that consisted of the king, church, nobles, and knights, the middle class that was made up of: the educated, merchants and doctors, and the peasants who took care of the land and manual labor (Heimler). The Roman Catholic Church played a huge part in creating society's norms (Heimler). Peasants made up the majority of manual workers in the social class and were relied on by the king to harvest crops for the entire village (Hanley). At the same time, crops were barely harvested and many times people starved (Hanley). The upper and middle class made a steady income from trade and creation while the peasants barely made enough money to survive and often starved (Hanley). Living standards lacked for the entire village, except for the upper class who had complementary living arrangements at the king’s palace (Hanley). There was a lack of accessibility to clean drinking water, food, safe shelter, clothing, and sanitation for the middle class and the peasants (Hanley).

Thus, this plague killed as many as half of all Europeans within 7 years and it is known for having the highest mortality rate in history (Lawler). The upper class quarantined themselves in the king’s palace to avoid contact with the middle class and the peasants (The Black Death, Globalization, and the World Today). Many pregnant women and their fetuses did not survive the plague because of their fragile immune systems and archaeologists have not yet discovered fetus remains (Ziegler). The Roman Catholic Church believed the plague was a way for God to punish people for their sins (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). Some blamed the Jewish for creating the plague in an attempt to kill Christians, but Pope Clement VI issued a religious order to stop the violence against the Jews (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). Some priests caught the plague or shut down the Church, so villagers joined the Flagellant Movement which consisted of members wearing white cloaks with a red Christian cross (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). Members would repent from their sins by singing hymns, removing blood, or taking a beating from a whip (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). 
Nonetheless, rodents, fleas, mammals, and humans were all trapped in a vicious death cycle because no one knew what had caused the plague (Maybe rats aren't to blame for the Black Death). During the 13th century, rodents would live in forests, fields, or anywhere food is. Rodent poison was not available back then, so rodents lived in the villages. Today, rodents live in sewers, fields, or anywhere they can be covered from the outside. There are exterminators and rodent traps available today along with constant infrastructure which scares rodents away. During the plague and still today, fleas live in grass, sand, sheds, or near water and still bite rodents, mammals, and humans. Flea repellents and exterminators help control the flea populations.

Moreover, following the plague, the living conditions changed drastically. Because there was now a low population, there was a mass of crops (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). A new gene pool was created as a result of the fragile individuals not surviving the plague. Villagers demanded lower crop prices and farmland rent in company with higher wages, higher handmade goods prices, and fewer duties that are requested from the king (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). Both the middle class and the peasants have begun to have higher living standards while the upper class lost wealth from the demanded changes (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). The middle class and the peasants started to take advantage of these changes by working less, yet the upper class passed the Statute of Laborers which reversed wages back to the same amount before the plague started (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). Because of this, there was a worldwide peasant class revolt against the upper class and eventually, the peasant class disappeared (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). 

Furthermore, treatments for the plague included fleeing as the plague approached, avoiding exercise and bathing, burning incense and carrying flowers, smelling strong odors, drinking a potion of ground chicken bones, and wearing religious medals (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). The plague doctor's costume consisted of an ankle-length overcoat, a bird-like beak mask filled with sweet or strong smelling substances, along with gloves and boots (The Plague, 1331-1770). The purpose of the mask was to remove bad smells, thought to be the principal cause of the disease (The Plague, 1331-1770). Doctors believed the herbs would counter the "evil" smells of the plague and prevent them from becoming infected (The Plague, 1331-1770). The costume included a wide-brimmed leather hat to indicate their profession (The Plague, 1331-1770). They used wooden canes to point out areas needing attention and to examine patients without touching them (The Plague, 1331-1770). The canes were also used to keep people away and to remove clothing from plague victims without having to touch them (The Plague, 1331-1770). In France, the medical faculty of the University of Paris wrote a report on how the disease began (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). The report declared that the alignment of planets “drew up evil vapors from the earth,” which were spread by “wild and southerly winds” (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). When breathed in, so went the report, foul air “penetrates to the heart and corrupts the substance of the spirit that is in it” (The Black Death a Catastrophe in Medieval Europe). Today, there are vaccinations for common diseases and medicine is prescribed based on patients’ symptoms and there are vaccinations for mammals. Vaccinations are required for children to attend schools, for individuals to travel or for your pet to be cared for at a vet. To avoid an illness one should purchase hand sanitizer, disinfectants, or a mask at the nearest supermarket. Doctors find treatments through studies and require standardized tests and/or experience before they can treat a patient. There is a hierarchy in the medical field such as the head doctor, nurse, nurse practitioners, etc. When a patient is treated more than one caregiver will treat the patient. Doctors work in offices and require payment for treatment. The official attire of a doctor in a white coat with scrubs. There is a vaccination for the Black Death and the last case was in 2020 and only one person was infected (Ries). To avoid coming in contact with the Black Plague, one should dispose of trash in a container higher than 2 ft container and wash the area around garbage constantly because rodents are attracted to food. If the villagers knew how the plague began they could have avoided the infection by storing trash far away from the village (Goldiner). Since herbs were the only source of medicine at that time, one would never know if that would have been a strategic move (Goldiner). Avoiding animals is the best way to protect oneself from the plague (Ries).

Additionally, during the 13th-century boats were used to carry goods to trade with. Sailors relied on maps and a compass to reach their destinations. The trade of handmade goods was sold in person. Today, goods and services are sold via trains, airplanes, trucks, or cars. People can sell their handmade goods online or in person. Also, mammals, insects, diseases, or plants still get transported from other countries and it leads to sickness or non-native species overpopulating an ecosystem.