Black Death Project

Origin

Symptoms

The Black Death has been traced back by one of two things: foul air (miasma) or an imbalance of one of the four humours: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm.

Prevention

If you know any friends, family, or loved ones that have shown any of the symptoms listed above, you are advised to isolate the individual until they have recuperated or passed away. You can also visit any willing doctor if you believe you need to have your humours balanced (see Treatment for more information).

The Black Death

INFOGRAPHIC

Medical examinations by doctors have shown that the most common signs of infectivity are the formation of painful aposthumes (swellings) on the groin or under the arms. These swellings, which vary in size, can leak blood and pus. Following this stage of infection, the host can experience fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, aches and pains, and finally death.

The Four Humours

Symptoms of the Black Death

Isolation

Treatment

Unfortunately, the Black Death is so rampant that most doctors will refuse to see patients. If you are infected, your best hope is to see a plague doctor and ask for a bloodletting. In this dangerous procedure, the doctor will either slit your wrist or use leeches to drain your blood in an attempt to balance the four humours. Of course, there are no guarantees that the treatment will work, and it may even negatively impact your health.

Response

The Black Death has brought many changes to our community. Many have lost faith in the Church, arguing that prayer has forsaken us, while others still believe that the plague is the final judgement, and the end of our world. The plague has also brought a rise in antiseminism, as some massacre entire Jewish communities, believing them to be the cause of their suffering. This horrible catastrophe has also caused a loss of faith in authority, but has also brought about a change in peasant rights, as the need for workers rises.

The Black Death

INFOGRAPHIC

Plague Doctor

Flagellants and Antiseminism