The Bubonic Plague is caused by the bacillus Yersinia Pestis, which is contracted to humans by the fleas of rodents. This bacillus works its way into the lymphatic system where it travels to the lymph nodes. In the lymph nodes a combat between the lymphatic system and the bacilli takes place. The bacilli excrete toxins, the body sends immune-system cells, and the node swells with the dead of both armies and coagulated blood (Farrell 88-89). The most characteristic symptoms of the plague are large, painful nodes, known as buboes, which grew in the groins, armpits, and necks of the infected persons. The early symptoms of the Plague consisted of a high fever, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, chills, fatigue, delirium, headaches, purple

The pneumonic plague, resulting as a complication of the Bubonic Plague, and as an invasion of the lungs by the bacterium, spread from person to person without intermediary transference by fleas (Kohn 25). But the Bubonic Plague was only transferred through the fleas of rodents. For when an epizootic outbreak reduces the rodent population, fleas from the dead animals fail to find another rodent host and thus begin to infest man (Britannica 2001). Because all the rodents were dying the fleas had to find a new host to feed off of and this is how the plague was transmitted to humans. Transportation of the disease was said to enter Europe in different ways. The most obvious way the plague got to Europe and other countries was through trade. Ships carried infected rats that jumped aboard and went on their merry way into different countries spreading the plague. One story in specific gives a quite conclusive example of how the plague arrived into Europe.

Man made primitive attempts to try to stop this dreadful plague, but no matter what they did the plague still got to best of them. The medical knowledge of man had in many ways, caused more harm than repair. Since they really had no idea where the plague was coming from they could only base treatments off of these theories. One practice was known as bleeding which was used to release evil spirits. This practice however, for the most part only caused more harm to the patient who would probably be more prone to the Plague or other diseases now. But the doctors seemed to believe the sick could bleed the disease out. Other doctors recommended getting rid of the miasma by burning wood scented with aloe or musk, sprinkle the floor with vinegar or rose water, and to carry perfumes or flowers to your nose if you went out (Farrell 81). People believed that a quarantine, which means "40 days" in Italian, was long enough to make sure that the ships were free of the disease. But that did not work to well because the rats would escape off the ships and infect the people. Other attempts were made, such as wearing amulets of sapphires or amber for protection, and some even carried magic words on charms saying such things like "abracadabra". Segregation of the sick was ordered in many cities, but in some the quarantine practice and stations were put into effect too late (Kohn 25). French doctors designed an anti-plague outfit, which consisted of a leather robe, crystal eyepieces, beak filled with perfumes, and a cane to point at bodies of the sick (Farrell 83). They also fumigated letters and washed money with vinegar. Some other forms of treatment also included bathing in human urine, use of leeches, drinking molten golden, chopping up a snake everyday, and not eating any desserts (Snell Plague). There was also a group that was formed in Germany, known as the Brotherhood of the Flagellants. They inflicted various punishments on themselves in an attempt to atone for the world's sins-and end the disease. (Witowski Plague). There was also a chant that was about the sick that has been a tradition even in our culture. Do children really know what Ring around the rosies, A pocket full of posies, Ashes, Ashes! We all fall down really means? The rosies referred to rosary beads, used for praying for help. The buboes released an offensive odor, the posies, flowers, were carried to

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Approximate Word count = 2247
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)