The

Bubonic
Plague
By Rylie G.
 What is the Bubonic Plague

The Bubonic plague or “black death” was caused by a deadly

bacteria called Yersinia pestis. Yersinia pestis comes in three
different forms, bubonic, septicemic,and pneumonic.
 Pneumonic
this form of bacteria causes a severe lung infection.
Symptoms include:
● Fever
● Headaches
● Chest pain
● Shortness of breath
● Cough
 Septicemic
this form of bacteria affects the circulatory system.
Symptoms include:
● Fever
● Chills
● Extreme weakness
● Abdominal pain
● Shock
● Bleeding into the skin and other organs

Skin and other tissues may turn black and die, especially on the
fingers, toes, and on the nose.
 Bubonic
this form of bacteria affects the lymph nodes.
Symptoms include:
● Fever
● Headache
● Chills
● Weakness
● Swollen and tender lymph nodes
 When Did it Start

It started in 1346 spreading around the

world, then faded away in 1353
 How Was it Spread

The bubonic plague was spread by

rats and fleas with the plague.
 How Was it Spread

The fleas would bite people, rats, dogs and cats causing
them to become ill with the plague. It can not be spread
person to person unless they are directly touching the
persons lymph nodes or infected tissue.
 How many people did it kill
An estimated 70 - 200 million people were killed
because of the plague.
It is only an estimate because they no real way of
keeping track of the death toll back then.
 What Happened to
People Who Died
When someone died they would throw their body
on to the street. People would then take the
bodies to the church, where they would throw
them in the body pit to be burned.
Plague Doctors

Plague doctors would beak

masks, a hat,and leather suits.

They would have canes so that

they did not have to touch their
patients in fear of contracting
the plague
 What Were The Beak Masks For

They used the masks to keep away bad smells, called

miasma. Which was thought to be the cause of the plague
before it was proven to be caused by germs.

They would put herbs and spices to counteract the “evil”

smells of the plague, and prevent them from being infected.
 Can Animals Get The Plague

Yes, animals can get the plague. It doesn’t affect them in the
same ways it affects people though. Many rodents died during
the plague, causing fleas to seek other sources of blood,
which happened to be the cats and dogs.
Cats and dogs can have fever and swollen lymph nodes or
may die suddenly.
 Can Animals be Treated for the Plague

Animals can be treated for the plague using antibiotics.

Such as:
● Streptomycin
● Gentamicin
● Doxycycline
● Ciprofloxacin
 The Black Death: The Greatest Catastrophe Ever |
Sources 10/30 History Today 10/15/20
www.historytoday.com › archive › black-death-greatest-c...

8 Fascinating Facts About Plague Doctors - Listverse Black Death - Causes, Symptoms & Impact - HISTORY
listverse.com › 2020/05/09 › 8-facts-about-plague-doctors 10/16/20 10/29/20
www.history.com › topics › middle-ages › black-death

Ecology and Transmission | Plague | CDC 10/29/10

www.cdc.gov › plague › transmission

Why Did Plague Doctors Wear Beaked Masks? -

HistoryExtra
www.historyextra.com › Period › Stuart 10/28/20