In two successive years of the 17th century London suffered two terrible disasters. In the spring and summer of 1665 an outbreak of Bubonic Plague spread from parish to parish until thousands had died and the huge pits dug to receive the bodies were full.
Bubonic Plague was known as the Black Death and had been known in England for centuries. It was a ghastly disease. The victim’s skin turned black in patches and inflamed glands or ‘buboes’ in the groin, combined with compulsive vomiting, swollen tongue and splitting headaches made it a horrible, agonizing killer. (Covid seems a pussy cat in comparison)
The plague started in the East, possibly China (What's new?) and quickly spread through Europe. Whole communities were wiped out and corpses littered the streets as there was no one left to bury them.
8 comments:
I saw a programme about the bubonic plague..about a month ago? Interestingly the fast spread then was caused by it not developing buboes, but developing in the lungs,so changing to pneumonic plague.
The last outbreak was in the 1930s I think, near Felixstowe...a row of cottages where three generations died, and the only survivors were the sister and youngest child of the initial casualty who moved half a mile away.
People died because they cared for others, and didn't isolate....
Our largest plague pit is now underneath a modern building which is sheltered accommodation for the vulnerable and elderly. They could simply have a shute down to the sub-basement like they do in some large American buildings.
gz:
We have become unused to such epidemics in our present cossetted age. They are still there though, waiting around the corner for a break in our defences
Tom:
I wonder, is that black humour or a practical solution?
Many people around here seem to be sticking to the rules, apart from supermarkets where previously you had a one way system in the aisles and this has now gone. Here we have to exercise alone and I have seen runners and cyclists in small groups. It would help if the vaccination programme was more efficient, I'm in the over 70's category and looking at the stats, and at the present rate of vaccination in Wales it will be 7 months before they get to me.
Dave:
Yes, our Tesco is the same. No one way systems now, but they do have traffic lights at the entrance. Red-you wait and green you go in.
Fortunately cycling is allowed as "permitted exercise" but it has been too bloody cold for a few days now although this week looks to be better.
At 82 and both with vulnerable health, we have had both our jabs. Although I feel guilty that others like you cannot get them soon. Let's hope they can speed up the vaccination process. I note they are getting the army in to help (Logistics and Medical Corps).With the Oxford jab it is easier as no special storage is needed. I don't see why pharmacists and vets can't do them too. After a recent operation my wife was issued with a couple of packs of loaded syringes to jab herself in the abdomen daily. It was very easy, but I suppose issuing them to the public at large would lead to all sorts of mis-use.
Well yes, it could be worse! Glad you've got your jabs.
Pam:
Good to hear from you. I hope that you and yours continue well.
"This, too, shall pass" is a useful quote to always bear in mind in all conditions, good or bad
O mundo está nas mãos daqueles que têm a coragem de sonhar e correr o risco de viver seus sonhos.
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