Bacterium Yersinia pestis

The Great Plague was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which was transmitted to humans through the bite of infected fleas carried by rodents

Unsanitary conditions in 17th-century London

Overcrowded living spaces

The dense urban population and poor sanitation facilitated the rapid spread of the disease

Filthy streets

The unsanitary conditions of 17th-century London, including filthy streets, provided an ideal environment for rats and fleas to thrive

Lack of waste management

The lack of waste management in 17th-century London contributed to the spread of the Great Plague

Movement of rats aboard ships

The movement of rats aboard ships contributed to the spread of the disease both within the city and to other areas

Miasma theory

The dominant miasma theory suggested that the plague was spread by "bad air" from decomposing organic matter, leading to ineffective remedies and preventive strategies

Limited scientific understanding of disease

In the 17th century, the scientific understanding of disease was limited, and the actual cause of the plague was not known

Seasonal outbreaks

Plague outbreaks often occurred during the warmer months, leading to the misconception that the disease was spread by polluted air

Severe symptoms

The Great Plague was characterized by a range of severe symptoms, including high fever, chills, and the appearance of painful, swollen lymph nodes

Secondary symptoms

Victims also suffered from secondary symptoms such as coughing up blood, gastrointestinal distress, and extreme fatigue

Misguided remedies

Inducing sweating

In an attempt to treat the plague, people would try to induce sweating in victims

Drinking "plague water"

People would drink a mixture of herbs, wine, and brandy known as "plague water" in hopes of curing the disease

Applying live animals to buboes

Another misguided remedy involved applying live animals to buboes in an attempt to draw out the disease

Measures implemented

King Charles II and his administration implemented measures such as isolating infected individuals, prohibiting public gatherings, and enforcing sanitation protocols

Extermination of stray animals

The government ordered the extermination of stray animals, mistakenly believed to be the primary carriers of the disease

Lasting impact

The Great Plague had a lasting impact on London, leading to urban improvements and establishing a precedent for government involvement in public health management