A Brief History of the Bubonic Plague and Medical Practices from the 13th to 17th Centuries

We are incredibly fortunate to have access to much more advanced medical technology today compared to the 13th and 17th centuries. Thanks to innovations in medical research and development, we have a greater understanding of the causes and mechanisms of diseases, more effective treatments, and advanced diagnostic tools.

Medical imaging technologies like CT scans and MRI machines allow doctors to visualize the inside of the body without invasive procedures, while minimally invasive surgeries have become more commonplace. Additionally, the development of vaccines and antibiotics has revolutionized healthcare, helping to prevent and treat diseases that were once widespread and often deadly.

All of these advancements in medical technology have contributed to better health outcomes, longer life expectancies, and overall higher quality of life for people worldwide.

Medical Practices and Beliefs During the 13th to 17th Centuries

Between the 13th and 17th centuries, medical knowledge and understanding were far less advanced than today. The actual causes of diseases were often misunderstood, and many treatments were based on superstition or unfounded beliefs. The lack of scientific knowledge led to ineffective or even harmful medical practices, and it wasn't until later centuries that medical professionals began to develop a more evidence-based approach to understanding and treating illnesses.

At that time, medical knowledge was primarily based on ancient theories and practices that lacked a solid foundation in empirical evidence. During this period, some critical challenges in medicine included:

1. Humorism: The humorism theory posited that health was determined by the balance of four bodily fluids or humors, which greatly influenced medical thought and practice. Treatments often aimed to restore the balance of these humors, using methods such as bloodletting, purging, and herbal remedies. However, these treatments were frequently ineffective and sometimes even harmful.

2. Lack of knowledge about disease transmission: Medical professionals of the time had little understanding of the true causes of diseases and how they spread. The germ theory states that microorganisms cause many diseases was not established until the 19th century. As a result, the importance of hygiene, sterilization, and proper medical practices was not fully recognized, leading to the spread of infections and hindering the development of effective treatments.

3. Limited understanding of human anatomy and physiology: The knowledge of human anatomy and physiology was incomplete during this period. Medical practitioners often relied on ancient texts and teachings rather than empirical evidence, and dissection of human bodies was relatively rare. This lack of understanding made developing effective treatments and surgical techniques difficult.

4. Rudimentary surgical procedures: Surgical procedures during this time were basic and often performed without anesthesia or proper sterilization, resulting in high infection and mortality rates. Advances in aseptic techniques and anesthesia would not occur until later centuries.

5. Influence of religion and superstition: Religious beliefs and superstitions significantly shaped medical knowledge and practices during this period. Treatments were often based on spiritual or magical beliefs rather than scientific understanding.

Despite these challenges, the period between the 13th and 17th centuries also marked the beginning of a gradual shift towards a more scientific approach to medicine. Medical practitioners started questioning the established theories and sought to expand their knowledge through observation and experimentation. This slow transition laid the groundwork for the significant advancements in medicine that would take place in later centuries, ultimately leading to the evidence-based approach that underpins modern medical practice.

Bubonic Plague: One of the Deadliest Pandemics in History

In the 13th century, the bubonic plague, commonly referred to as the Black Death🔒, claimed the lives of approximately 75 to 200 million individuals across Western Eurasia and North Africa, persisting throughout Europe for centuries. Smallpox ranks as history's second most fatal disease.

A more potent strain of the disease characterized the second wave of the bubonic plague pandemic, marked by several "great plague" outbreaks. The series began in Seville, Spain, between 1647 and 1652, followed by London, England, from 1665 to 1666, shortly before the Great Fire of London, and then Vienna, Austria, in 1679. Finally, the plague spread to Marseilles, France, and neighboring regions in 1720, Eastern Europe between 1738 and 1740, and Central Russia from 1770 to 1772.

The third and final wave of the bubonic plague pandemic originated in China in 1890, wreaking havoc in India before becoming endemic in the western United States.

So, what is the bubonic plague?

The infection, caused by bacteria, is predominantly found in rodents and transmitted by fleas. Humans are typically affected when bitten by a flea carrying the plague bacteria, which requires close contact. Symptoms include swollen and painful lymph nodes, discolored skin, fever and chills, headache, exhaustion, and muscle soreness.

Two other manifestations of the illness are septicemic and pneumonic plagues. Septicemic plague arises when the bacteria infiltrate the bloodstream, while pneumonic plague presents as an acute lung infection. Both variations of the disease are highly contagious and lethal if not addressed. However, thanks to modern medicine and antibiotics, the bubonic plague is no longer as fatal as it once was, and occurrences are uncommon.

The term "bubonic" consists of a prefix and a suffix. "Bubo" (Latin) refers to the swelling of lymph glands, particularly in the groin area, while "boubon" (Greek) similarly signifies a bulge in the groin. The suffix "-ic" (Middle English), borrowed from Latin "-icus" or Greek "-ikos," denotes "pertaining to," "having the nature of," or "composed of." Consequently, "bubonic" relates to the lymph glands in the armpits or groins.

🥼😷 Bubonic Plague: Custome and Beak-Shaped Mask

Were you aware that during the 17th-century bubonic plague outbreaks, plague doctors donned distinctive black attire and a bird-like beak mask🔒 as part of their protective gear?

Charles de Lorne, a 17th-century plague doctor who treated royalty, is often attributed to the creation of this specialized attire. The outfit he detailed included a scented wax-coated coat, boots connected to breeches, a tucked-in shirt, and a hat and gloves made from goat leather. Additionally, a rod was carried to prod or ward off victims.

The costume featured a beak-like mask with a six-inch-long nose filled with perfume, possessing just two holes near the nostrils for breathing. This design allowed the air to be infused with theriac, a concoction of over 55 herbs and ingredients such as fresh viper powder, cinnamon, myrrh, and honey, before reaching the doctors' noses and lungs. De Lorne believed the beak-shaped mask provided adequate time for the air to absorb the protective herbs. [source]

While the mask may have provided some psychological comfort for the doctors, the effectiveness of the beak-shaped mask in protecting against the bubonic plague was likely minimal.

The primary benefit of the mask and the accompanying protective attire was that it created a barrier between the doctor and the patient, reducing direct contact. However, the actual cause of the plague and its transmission mode (via fleas that infested rodents) were not understood at the time. The costume's ability to protect the doctor was incidental and not due to the beak's intended function and contents. Today, we understand that protective measures against infectious diseases require more advanced and scientifically informed approaches.

Bubonic Plague: A Proper name for it

There was no proper medical name for bubonic plague until 1896, when it was determined to be caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. They created an effective treatment for the plague in 1898, using antiserum to treat it. This therapy was later supplanted by sulphonamides in the 1930s and then by streptomycin starting in 1947. Today, antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, gentamicin, or levofloxacin treat the bubonic plague.

Bubonic plague outbreaks are rare today. They still occur occasionally in some parts of the world, including Africa, India, and Peru. However, antibiotics are now available to treat the disease, making it much less deadly than it once was. In the United States, only about seven cases of bubonic plague are reported yearly, mostly in rural areas of southwestern states like Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and California.