The Black Plague by Emalee & Abby
The disease that killed many.
Summary Of The Black Plague
The black death started in the 16th century in Europe. Between 1347 and 1353 more than one third of the population was killed. This is more than 25 million people. The plague was caused by bacteria carried by fleas that lived on rats. Merchants ships carried them from the black sea ports to Sicily.
Victims developed large lumps on the legs, arms, underarms, and neck. Symptoms include fever, vomitting, and black spots caused by the internal bleeding. Once victims started spitting blood, death was certain.
To ward off infections the doctors from the 16th century wore this leather mask with glass eyes and a long beak filled with herbs and spices.
The death toll was so high that gravediggers used carts to collect corpses as they walked the streets saying "bring out your dead."