Unit VII
The Black Plague
Columbia Southern University
Unit VII Essay
The “Black Death” or “Black Plague” was one of the most frightful diseases to devastate
Western Europe since the Bubonic Plague which hit the country in the fourteenth century. This
plague spread like wild fire through the entire region as ships carried in year-round goods such as
grains, silks, spices and gold.
Unfortunately, these shipments were not only bringing in much needed resources but also
contaminated with vermin, insects, and parasites. These pests concealed many types of diseases
and could live for months in the cargo. By the time they made it to shore they had multiplied
creating a pool of disease once the goods touched land. These diseases were passed on from the
cargo carried rats by the fleas, the fleas would drink the blood of the infected rat and pass it on to
the next host that would eventually be humans. It was common for peasants and even
archbishops to have fleas and body lice that the bites, itching and rash was not alarming to them.
During these times the conditions society was living in were ideal for the spread of
diseases. It was easy for a rat to enter into buildings and homes as they were built mainly of
wood, clay, and mud, as they were in the beginning stages of constructing brick homes. (McKay
et al., 2017)
Poor sanitary conditions derived from dead animals, human fecal matter, and
contaminated produce was also a big factor conducive to poor health. In addition,
overpopulation caused famine and people’s lack of personal hygiene was another reason the
plague-ravaged through the cities of Rome depleting their population.
The toll of the plague was disastrous in the beginning but turned to be a benefit afterward
for the economy. By the drop in the population, they were able to give the necessary amount of
The Black Plague
Columbia Southern University
Unit VII Essay
The “Black Death” or “Black Plague” was one of the most frightful diseases to devastate
Western Europe since the Bubonic Plague which hit the country in the fourteenth century. This
plague spread like wild fire through the entire region as ships carried in year-round goods such as
grains, silks, spices and gold.
Unfortunately, these shipments were not only bringing in much needed resources but also
contaminated with vermin, insects, and parasites. These pests concealed many types of diseases
and could live for months in the cargo. By the time they made it to shore they had multiplied
creating a pool of disease once the goods touched land. These diseases were passed on from the
cargo carried rats by the fleas, the fleas would drink the blood of the infected rat and pass it on to
the next host that would eventually be humans. It was common for peasants and even
archbishops to have fleas and body lice that the bites, itching and rash was not alarming to them.
During these times the conditions society was living in were ideal for the spread of
diseases. It was easy for a rat to enter into buildings and homes as they were built mainly of
wood, clay, and mud, as they were in the beginning stages of constructing brick homes. (McKay
et al., 2017)
Poor sanitary conditions derived from dead animals, human fecal matter, and
contaminated produce was also a big factor conducive to poor health. In addition,
overpopulation caused famine and people’s lack of personal hygiene was another reason the
plague-ravaged through the cities of Rome depleting their population.
The toll of the plague was disastrous in the beginning but turned to be a benefit afterward
for the economy. By the drop in the population, they were able to give the necessary amount of
