The ‘Black Death’

Transmitted by rat flea bites, this disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis led to several devastating pandemics throughout history.

Materials to download, in English and Welsh:

Between 1346 and 1353 the Black Death killed up to half the European population and a total of 75-200 million people worldwide. It was the deadliest disease outbreak ever.

Plague was characterised by sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, body aches and swollen lymph nodes; vomiting, diarrhoea and in some cases blackening of fingers, toes or skin.

In 1665, the plague killed 1 in 5 of all Londoners. King Charles II imposed a lockdown to prevent people mixing, suspended trade and banned public events.

Contact with an infectious person required 40 days in quarantine at home. A red cross was painted on the door and watchmen enforced the order. At night, carts passed through the streets with cries of "Bring out your dead!"

Improved hygiene, pest control (rats!) and social distancing managed to control the plague, even before the discovery of antibiotics. However, there are still 1,000-2,000 cases per year, according to the World Health Organisation.

Plague doctors: Why the scary outfit?

Worn by European doctors in the 17th century, believing it would protect them from disease when they visited infected people.

Plague was thought to be transmitted by breathing in ‘bad air’ (miasma).

Mask: To shield against body fluids and protect the eyes.

Beak: To hold perfume, herbs and other strongly scented items against the stench of decaying bodies, and thereby ‘purify’ the air.

Robe: Covered in scented wax to prevent rat fleas, the true carriers of the plague, from clinging to clothes.

Gloves and hat: To prevent hands and head from being exposed to the disease.

Rod: To poke or fend off victims, and to keep sufficient distance.

In other words, the costume was a very early form of personal protective equipment (PPE)!