The Bubonic Plague

Introduction

The Bubonic Plague

By Benjamin Rosenberg

During the Dark Ages, or Medieval Times, there were knights, castles, kings, and queens, but to be honest, the whole time period was a mess. What with the nasty waste disposal system (chucking their poop out the window and hoping it didn't hit anyone) and their lack of hygiene (they ate food with their hands, and hardly ever washed) it was no surprise that there were frequently outbreaks of disease.

The most prevalent outbreak of disease was the virus Yersinia Pestis, also called the Bubonic Plague, more commonly known as the Black Death. The Plague came to Europe via ship from Asia, the origin of the virus. The Plague was mostly spread by the fleas on the ship's rats, allowing great proliferation of the virus through the cities' disgusting waste disposal systems. The fact that when someone got sick, the family all crowded around the sick person's bed didn't really help either.

This webquest tracks the progress of the Plague from Asia through an unlucky medieval person. It also will give you insight to the wonderfully accurate details of the varying degrees of necrosis (cells dying while the tissue that they are in is still alive) and the large welts, boils, and pustules that appear on the unlucky person's skin throughout their contamination. Each section will end in a short quiz on things only covered in this webquest - in other words, you don't need to know anything beforehand to complete it.

Hope you enjoy it!

-Ben Rosenberg

Click the Task button on the top of the page to continue.

Task

The bubonic plague has a very interesting history. Click this link to learn about its birth: 

(LINK TO HISTORY OF BUBONIC PLAGUE)

Now here's the first part of your quiz:

1. Where did the first case of bubonic plague appear?

2. Approximately how many people died because of the disease?

3. What were three groups of people that were discriminated against or killed because they 'caused' the Black Death?

The bubonic plague was also a very versatile disease. Click this link to learn about all the symptoms of the plague:

(LINK TO SYMPTOMS OF PLAGUE)

1. What were the main symptoms of the plague symbolized by the nursery rhyme, 'Ring around the Rosie'?

2. What did the 'posey' symbolize in the rhyme?

3.

   a.    What did people think the disease was caused by?

   b.    What method of transportation did the disease really use?

Now click the 'Interactive Map - Spread of the Black Plague' text highlighted in blue under the article. Scroll through the map until you find the answers to the questions.

1. Whose ships did the plague arrive to Europe on?

2. What mountains did the plague cross to reach Germany and England?

3. When did the plague enter the Baltic region?

4. What was one area that was completely unaffected by the plague?

Good job! Now, click the Process tab on the top of the page.

Process

There were actually four different types of the plague:

  1. Bubonic plague,
  2. Pneumonic plague,
  3. Septicemic plague, and
  4. Abortive plague.

This link will give you the information to answer the next questions. Do not go on to the questions until you are sure you have read the whole article.

(LINK TO WEBSITE ON WHICH YOU WILL READ ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF THE PLAGUE)

1. What does 'bubo' mean?

2. What is the incubation period for the bubonic plague?

3. What causes septicemic plague?

4. How long do you have to live if you have septicemic plague and you are not treated?

5. Why is the pneumonic plague a more severe pest form than the bubonic plague?

6. Which type of the plague is relatively harmless?

Critical Thinking

7. Why might someone in Europe hope that they got that type of the plague,

besides its being harmless?

Have you finished all the questions? Good job! Now, click the Evaluation tab at the top of the page to check your work.

Evaluation

Now it's time to grade yourself. Here are the answers:

1. The first instance of the plague appeared in Mongolia

2. Approximately 25 million people died because of the plague

3. Three groups of people that were discriminated against because of the plague were people thought to be 'witches' , gypsies, and Jews.

Part Two

1. The main symptoms symbolized by 'Ring around the Rosie' were rashes on the arms and neck and red rings with a dark center that looked like a rose.

2. In the rhyme, the 'posey' symbolized the carrying of flowers to cover up the smell of the dying and dead.

3. a. People thought the disease was punishment from God.

   b. The disease was really caused by fleas on rats transmitting the disease to humans through their bite.

Part Three

1. The plague arrived to Europe on the ships of the Genoese merchants.

2. The plague crossed the Alps to reach Germany and England.

3. The plague entered the Baltic region by the middle of 1350.

4. One area that was completely unaffected by the plague was Bohemia.

Part Four

1. 'Bubo' means boil.

2. The incubation period for the bubonic plague is a few hours to seven days.

3. Septicemic plague is caused by the entrance of the bacteria into the blood.

4. If you are not treated, you have 36 hours (1 1/2 days) to live.

5. Pneumonic plague is a more severe form of the plague than the bubonic plague because it bypasses the immune system of the humans and goes straight to the lungs.

6. Abortive plague is relatively harmless.

Critical Thinking

7. One might hope to contract the Abortive Plague because it renders the victim immune to the other types of the plague.

Got them all right? Good Job! Now, click the Conclusion tab at the top of the screen.

Conclusion

Well, in seeing that you managed to finish this electronic source of amusement, I offer my congratulations. Good job, and may your veins be free from the piercing of the Yersinia Pestis carrying fly. Thank you for your participation.