DJ Long Durham Social Studies November 17, 2013

The Black Plague was a terrible disease that killed as much as half of the population of Europe in in the 14th century (Secrets of the Black Death). It is caused by a bacteria called Yersinia pestis that still exists today (Secrets of the Black Death). The plague had many names, like The Black Death, The Great Pestilence, and Bubonic Plague (The Plague). The plague was the greatest biological disaster of the 14th century (The Plague). Symptoms of bubonic plague can appear within days of a flea bite (Schoenstadt). Buboes, or swollen glands, appear in the armpits, neck or groin (Schoenstadt). Victims can also have fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (Schoenstadt). The name Black Death came from black spots that appeared in later stages because of internal bleeding (McCasland). The plague was carried by fleas that were on rats that came to Europe on trade routes from Asia (Ghose). Dirty and overcrowded cities in the Middle Ages caused it to spread quickly (Ghose). The disease still kills people today in places like the Congo and even in the United States (Ghose).

Works Cited

Secrets of the Black Death. YouTube. Nature Video, 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2013. The Plague YouTube. History Channel, 2010. Web. 16 Oct. 2013.
Schoenstadt, Arthur. Bubonic Plague Symptoms. eMedtv.com. eMedTV, 2013. Web 17 Oct. 2013. McCasland, Craig. The Black Death. Austincc.edu. Austin Community College, 2013. Web 17 Oct. 2013.

Ghose, Tia. Bubonic Plague Still Kills Thousands. livescience.com. LiveScience, 2013. Web. 17 Oct. 2013.