The Plague, also known as the Black Death, was one of the deadliest pandemics in history. It ravaged Europe throughout the 14th century, and it wasn’t until the late 17th century that it finally disappeared from London. What stopped the Plague in London?
The Beginning of the Plague
The first outbreak of the Plague in London was in 1348. It was caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis, which is transmitted by fleas that infest rats. The disease spread rapidly through Europe, killing millions of people.
The Great Plague of London
The Great Plague of London occurred in 1665 and lasted for over a year. It was one of the worst outbreaks of the disease, killing an estimated 100,000 people – almost a quarter of London’s population at the time.
The Symptoms
The symptoms of the Plague were terrifyingly gruesome. They included fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, and painful swelling of lymph nodes (buboes). The disease progressed rapidly and could kill within days.
Attempts to Stop the Spread
At first, people had no idea how to stop the spread of the disease. They tried everything from burning aromatic herbs to carrying around pomanders (balls filled with sweet-smelling substances) to ward off “bad air”. None of these methods worked.
Quarantine Measures
In an effort to contain the disease, officials in London implemented quarantine measures. Infected households were marked with a painted sign or flagpole outside their door. Anyone found inside an infected household was forced into quarantine for 40 days.
Improvements in Sanitation
One major factor that helped stop the spread of the Plague in London was improvements in sanitation. In 1666, the Great Fire of London destroyed much of the city, including many of the overcrowded and unsanitary slums where the disease had been spreading. When the city was rebuilt, it included wider streets, better drainage, and improved sewage systems.
The End of the Plague
The last major outbreak of the Plague in London occurred in 1679. After that, there were only sporadic cases reported. It’s unclear why the disease disappeared from London, but it’s likely that a combination of quarantine measures and improvements in sanitation played a role.
Conclusion
In conclusion, what stopped the Plague in London was a combination of quarantine measures and improvements in sanitation. The disease was terrifyingly deadly, but through trial and error, officials were able to develop effective strategies for containing it. Today, we know much more about how to prevent and treat infectious diseases like the Plague – but it’s important to remember the lessons learned from this dark chapter in history.