The Black Death by sanemcerit

(text-style:"bold") [ANOTHER PANDEMIC] It is the winter of 2020. You are a student studying abroad. Your deadlines and exams are approaching but the only thing that you can think about is the virus that currently spreads around the world. There are a lot of rumors and false news going around,and you don't know which one to follow anymore. Everything is happening so fast that you can't even track. (text-style: "bold")[You are panicking!](text-style:"blurrier")[as the rest of the people around the world] So you decide to search for other [[Pandemic ]] examples such as the one that the world is experiencing right now, hoping that you might calm down seeing that everything turned out to be fine afterall.

<img src=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/1346-1353_spread_of_the_Black_Death_in_Europe_map.svg alt="man" height="300" width="300"> (text-style:"bold") [AROUND THE WORLD] The plague quickly spread throughout the world, starting from Europe.It is assumed to spread via the merchant ships and carts traveling, amongst which black rodents were regular passengers, along the Silk Road. Take a look at the[[European Outbreak]] and the [[Middle Eastern Outbreak]] to get a better idea of the range of the infected population.

<img src=https://allabouttheatradeath.weebly.com/uploads/5/4/5/4/54547113/4971371_orig.gif> (text-style:"bold") [ACROSS THE YEARS] (text-style:"bold") [1333- (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))The Black Death in Central China] An epidemic in //1333// which would eventually destroy two-thirds of Chinese population hit the northeastern //Chinese province of Hopei//. It effected, overall, 90% of the population. More or less five million Chinese people were hit by this plague. (text-style:"bold") [1347-The Black Death Arrived in Europe] It first appeared in Messina, Sicily, through trading ships that most likely came from the Black Sea. As soon as the people realized that the sickness was coming from these ships, they expelled themselves from the port. (Text-style: "blurrier") [But it was too late.] (text-style:"bold") [1348-Plague Arrived in England] It first appeared in Bristol, in a famous European port. But this was just the beginning state. (text-style:"bold") [September 2^^nd^^, 1348-Daughter of King Edward III died of the plague] (text-style:"bold") [November 1^^st^^, 1348-Plague Reached London] England cities with dirty living conditions and overloaded amount of people led to the quick spread of the disease around the country. (text-style:"bold") [1349-3000 Jews were Killed in Germany beacuse of the Black Death] (text-style:"bold") [1349-King Edward III Ordered for the streets to be cleaned of the dead bodies] People were isolated, locked in their houses, until they either got rid of the disease or died. 200 people were being burried everyday. (text-style:"bold") [1351-The Plague Arrived in Moscow,resulting in the whole continent being infected] (text-style:"bold") [1381-Peasan's Revolt] (text-style:"bold") [1388-4^^th^^ Outbreak of the Plague (defected mainly adults)] (text-style:"bold") [1629-Great Plague of Milan] (text-style:"bold") [September 2^^nd^^, 1666-The Great Fire of London] The only positive outcome of the great fire was that the plague decreased due to the death of plague carrying rodents during the fire. (text-style:"bold") [1711-The Plague Arrived in Austria] Eventhough this chronology consisted of overwhelming information, there were still somethings that you could learn about the pandemic. You could: [[Travel the world]] to see the spread around different continents. Check out the [[signs and symptoms]] of the disease to figure out how it was like. You could educate yourself about the presumed [[causes]] of such a devastating pandemic. Or,you could go through the [[consequences]] hoping that they might give you an idea about what to expect out of these bad days that our world is going through.

(text-style:"bold") [CONSEQUENCES] (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] pandemic brought various consequences with it. A cessation of wars and a sudden decline in trade market immediately followed but these consequences were salient only for a short duration. A more lasting and serious consequence was the drastic reduction of the amount of land under cultivation, due to the deaths of so many labourers which also ended up ruining many landowners. //You can explore the various consequences specifically for certain areas and get to know more about how a field of your interest might be effected after a pandemic via exploring such consequences from the past.// Choose from the following field specific consequences: [[Statistics]] [[Psychological ]] [[Mortality]] [[Economic]] [[Environmental]] [[Persecutions]] [[Second Plague Pandemic]] [[Social]]

<img src=https://cdn.britannica.com/64/161064-050-4EECC535/Plague-victims-Black-Death.jpg alt="man" height="200" width="200"> (text-style: "bold")[PANDEMIC: The Black Death] You come accross one of the most devastating pandemics in human history that changed the world: (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[//The Black Death//] According to its history; [The Black Death originated as an outbreak, of the bacterium Yersini pestis resulting in multiple types of plague, in Central or East Asia during the Middle Ages.It has the reputation of being the first major European outbreak of plague and the second plague pandemic worldwide.From there it travelled along the Silk Road considering the are included the busiest trading nation, //China//, and it was only a matter of time that it reached Europe. People believed that it was transmitted rodents and flea bites. It quickly spread across the European continent within years.] Looking back, the pandemic had various number of religious social and economic [[consequences]] wiping out one third of Europe's population, entire families and regions. [[Origins]] [[Chronology]]

(text-style:"bold") [ORIGIN OF THE PANDEMIC] (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death], caused by Yersinia pestis, is commonly present in popuations of fleas carried by ground rodents. Due to the climate change in Asia, rodents began to flee towards the more populated areas leaving the dried-out grasslands which resulted in the spread of the disease. Epidemics that might have included the plague killed an estimated 25 million people across Asia before it arrived in Constantinople. It is argued that the disease, most likely, traveled along the Silk Road with Mongol armies and traveders or it could have arrived via ship. (text-style:"bold") [!] It is suggested that several existing conditions of the era such as war, famine and the weather contributed to the severity of [The Black Death]. Among many other culprits of the plague contagiousness,and malnutrition also contributed the immense loss in European population due to their weakining effects on the immune system.

(text-style:"bold") [EUROPEAN OUTBREAK] The plague first arrived to Europe, Sicily, carried by Genoese galleys which quickly resulted in the spread arounf the island and northern Italy.However, the galleyes who were expelled from Italy carried the disease with them to France. From Italy, the disease spread nortwest across Europe following the route: France --> Spain --> Porugal --> England --> Germany, Scotland, Scandinavia --> Norway --> Iceland --> Russia. The plague was somewhat less prevalent in the parts of Europe that developed weak trade connections with their neighbours. If you wish to learn about the spread in the Middle East, go back to [[Travel the world]]. OR,you can go back to [[Chronology]] to explore other aspects of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

(text-style:"bold") [MIDDLE EASTERN OUTBREAK] The plague effected various regions in the Middle East during the pandemic, resulting in serious depopulation and permanent changes in both economic and social structures. The infected rodents infected new ones, which resulted in the drastic spread of the disease across the region including South Africa and southern Russia. Through the ports trades with Constantinople and ports of the Black Sea, disease followed the route: Egypt --> Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Palestine --> throughout the entire Muslim empire from Arabia across North Africa. You can check the thoughts of [[Muslim Scholars]] regarding the pandemic, if it is of any interest.

The Black Death resulted in the death of two thirds of its victims within 3-4 days after being infected. 25 million to 50 million people died of the Black Death The Black Death was a combination of three disease: bubonic plague, pneumonic plague and septicemic plague.The mortality rate for the infected individuals were 30-75%, 90-95% and 100% respectively. Even though tere was a fair amount of geographic variation, 45-50% of the European population died during a four year period. Mortality rates in Mediterranean Europe, where plague ran for about four years consecutively, was closer to 75–80% of the population. Mortality rates in Germany and England was closer to 20%. 40% of Egypt population died due to the Black Death. You can go back to explore the [[consequences]] of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] in other fields or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

(text-style:"bold") [SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS] The most commonly noted symptom of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] was the appearance of "buboes" (//an inflamed, tender welling of a lymph node//) in the groin, neck and armits, which oozed pus and bled when opened. Its first outbreak was through certain tumours in the grain or armpits of the infected person, some of which grew as large as an apple. From these two parts, the buboes spread in all directions of the body resulting in the change of malady, black spots or livid appearance on the arms, thigh or elsewhere. These spots were also associated with an approaching death. These marks were followed by acute fever and vomiting of blood. Most of the victims died within two to seven days after being infected. Red spots and rashes which could have been identified as flea bites were identified as another potential sign of plague. You can go back to [[Chronology]] ]] to explore other aspects of [The Black Death] or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

<img src=https://cdn.britannica.com/17/188517-050-F3E06574/rat-flea-transmission-vector-bacterium-rats-humans.jpg alt="man" height="200" width="200"> <img src=https://cdn.britannica.com/s:700x500/61/161061-050-908CF1AE/Yersinia-pestis-image-plague.jpg alt="man" height="200" width="200"> (text-style:"bold") [DETERMİNED CAUSES] [Medical knowledge wasn't as advanced during the Middle Ages. The first report blamed the heavens for the occurance of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))The Black Death suggesting that it caused a great pestilence in the air.The plague was caused by the bad air became the most widely accepted theory at the time.] However, today the dominant explanation for (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] s the plague theory, attributing the outbreak of the disease to //Yersinia pestis//. According to the scholars, the bubonic plague mechanism relied on two types of rodents from which the fleas move on to other hosts once the rodent dies,including people thus creating the human epidemic. Furthermore, there has been alternative ecplanations of the cause of the disease questioning the possible genetic aspect. It is reported that //Yersinia pestis DNA// was found in human dental pump. You can go back to [[Chronology]] to explore other aspects of [The Black Death] or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

(text-style:"bold") [What Muslim Scholars Thought] Some Muslim religious scholars thought that the plague was a mercy from God assuring the believers' place in paradise. However, for the non-believers, it was a punishment. People took it more extreme that some Muslim doctors were cautioned against trying to prevent or treat a disease that is sent by God. While some others adapted similar preventive measures and treatments as done by the Europeans. You can go back to [[Chronology]] to explore other aspects of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

(text-style:"bold") [Psychological Consequences] [The psychological effects of The Black Death were reflected in northern Alps through a preoccupation with death and afterlife revealed in poetry, sculpture,and paintings of the era. The Roman Catholic Church lost some monopoly over the salvation of souls as people turned to mysticism and even to excesses.] You can go back to explore the [[consequences]] of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] in other fields or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

(text-style:"bold") [Mortality Rates] [The death toll at the end of the pandemic is not exactly known, the rate is found to vary widely by locality. In areas with greater population suffered through a longer duration of an abnormal mortality period. Around mid 1300s, the plague spread so rapidly that physicians or government didn't have time to reflect on its origins, and about a third of the European population already perished. The disease bypassed some areas while killing 50% of the population in some others. Overall, isolated areas were less vulnerableto contagion. Monks, nuns and priests were especially hard-hit since they cared for victims of The Black Death.] You can go back to explore the [[consequences]] of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] in other fields or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

(text-style:"bold") [Economical Consequences] [Due to the large population decline from the plague, salaries escalted in response to labor shortage. Landowners were also pushed to substitute monetary rents for labour services to keep the tenants.] You can go back to explore the [[consequences]] of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] in other fields or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

(text-style:"bold") [Environmental Consequences] [Some historians believe that the innumerable deaths brought on by the plague cooled the climate by freeing up land and triggering reforestation. This might have been the emergence of the Little Ice Age.] You can go back to explore the [[consequences]] of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] in other fields or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

(text-style:"bold") [Persecutions] [Renewed religious eagerness and fanaticism bloomed in the wake of The Black Death. Some Europeans targeted "various groups such as Jews, friars, foreigners, beggars, pilgrims", lepers, and Romani, blaming them for the pandemic. Lepers, and others with skin diseases such as acne,etc. were killed throughout Europe. Since the 14^^th^^century healers and governments were not advanced enough to explain or stop the spread of the disease, people lost trust. Instead, Eurpeans turned to astrology, earthquakes or the poisoning of wells by Jews as possible reasons of the outbreak of the pandemic. Mostly, the epidemic was believed to be a punishment by God for ones sins which can be overcome by winning God's forgiveness.] You can go back to explore the [[consequences]] of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] in other fields or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

(text-style:"bold") [The Second Plague Pandemic] [The plague repeatedly returned to Europe and the Mediterranean throughout the 14th to 17th centuries.It is said that the plague was present somewhere in Europe in every year between mid 1300s and the end of 1600s. The Black Death haunted much of the Islamic world. The Plague was present in at least one location in the Islamic world every year between 1500s and mid 1800s.] You can go back to explore the [[consequences]] of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] in other fields or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

(text-style:"bold") [Social Consequences] [One of the theories that rose after the pandemic is that the devastation in Florence due to The Black Death, resulted in a shift in the worldview of 14^^th^^ century Italy and led to Renaissance. Resulting familiarity with death throughout this pandemic in Italy pushed thinkers to dwell more on their lives on Earth rather than the spirituality of afterlife.] You can go back to explore the [[consequences]] of (enchant: "The Black Death", (text-style: "smear")+(text-style:"rumble"))[The Black Death] in other fields or if you think that you have had enough of the pandemic, take a look at some helpful information and links reagrding the [[current situation]] that you are panicking about.

Here is a tiny Corona-kit for you: (text-style: "bold")[1.] While you are at home try to <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1">educate</a> yourself about the situation, learn about what is going on around <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries">the world </a> "https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries"). This might help you understand the new regulations better as well as clearing out some uncertainties in mind. (text-style: "bold") [2.] Make the best out of your time at home. Ofcourse it is not easy as said then done but use your time to catch up with school work, bucket lists, etc.. (text-style: "bold") [3.] Once you are at it, don't forget to check the <a href="https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/dossiers/coronavirus-en/updates-en">school website</a> for updates and regulations regarding the virus. (text-style: "bold") [4.] "Don't panic!" Panic only brings more panic into the picture and makes you stress out about something that you don't have control over. This would only weaken your immune system and not solve the problem. #StayAtHome #StayCalm