The Great Plague of London in 1665 was a devastating epidemic that claimed thousands of lives. Caused by Yersinia pestis, it spread rapidly due to poor sanitation and overcrowding. Misconceptions of the time led to ineffective remedies and preventive measures. Government interventions included isolation and sanitation efforts, which, along with the Great Fire of London, eventually led to improved public health policies.
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The Great Plague was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which was transmitted to humans through the bite of infected fleas carried by rodents
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
The movement of rats aboard ships contributed to the spread of the disease both within the city and to other areas
The dominant miasma theory suggested that the plague was spread by "bad air" from decomposing organic matter, leading to ineffective remedies and preventive strategies
In the 17th century, the scientific understanding of disease was limited, and the actual cause of the plague was not known
Plague outbreaks often occurred during the warmer months, leading to the misconception that the disease was spread by polluted air
The Great Plague was characterized by a range of severe symptoms, including high fever, chills, and the appearance of painful, swollen lymph nodes
Victims also suffered from secondary symptoms such as coughing up blood, gastrointestinal distress, and extreme fatigue
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
King Charles II and his administration implemented measures such as isolating infected individuals, prohibiting public gatherings, and enforcing sanitation protocols
The government ordered the extermination of stray animals, mistakenly believed to be the primary carriers of the disease
The Great Plague had a lasting impact on London, leading to urban improvements and establishing a precedent for government involvement in public health management
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Great Plague of London death toll
Approx. 100,000 deaths, nearly 25% of London's population.
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Great Plague transmission method
Yersinia pestis bacterium spread by flea bites from infected rodents.
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The presence of rats and fleas was bolstered by ______ living quarters, unclean streets, and poor ______ management in the city.
overcrowded
waste
