Lecture Notes: Hygiene Practices During the Black Plague

Introduction

• The bubonic plague swept through Europe in the 14th century, killing 50 million people (over half the continent).
• Exploration of European hygiene practices during this time.

The Environment of the 14th Century

• Fleas, rats, and lice thrived in filth; served as vectors for the plague.
• Lack of awareness about fleas as disease transmitters; people slept on infested straw bedding.
• General cleanliness was poor; daily bathing was uncommon among commoners.

Bathing Practices

• Common practice to wash hands and face daily among peasants.
• Wealthy bathed in private tubs; others used public baths or local streams.
• Bathing methods:
  • Recommended to bathe in vinegar and rose water instead of regular water.
  • Some suggested bathing in urine due to soap-making difficulties.

Jewish Sanitation Practices

• Jewish communities had lower mortality rates due to better sanitary traditions (more handwashing).
• Christians blamed Jews for the plague, leading to violent persecutions instead of adopting healthier practices.
  • Example: The Nuremberg Chronicle (1348) documented the burning of Jewish residents.

Medical Practices and Treatments

• Medical understanding of the plague was rudimentary; treatments often worsened conditions.
• Recommended procedures included:
  • Cutting and draining buboes, applying plant roots and dried feces.
  • Suggesting the ingestion of the drained pus from buboes.
• Many doctors avoided treating plague patients; some even suggested extreme measures like sitting between bonfires.

Public Health Crisis

• Overwhelming number of deaths; towns struggled with cadaver disposal.
• Mass graves established outside towns due to the high death toll.
• Inadequate sanitation; shared toilets and overflowing cesspits led to contamination of water supplies.

Rat and Vermin Population

• Open sewers attracted rats and fleas, further spreading disease.
• England's Parliament attempted to address the issue by regulating waste disposal practices in 1388.

Beliefs About Disease Transmission

• Europeans believed foul smells spread diseases, leading to practices like carrying sweet-smelling flowers for air purification.
• Plague doctor costumes included bird-like masks filled with herbs, acting as early forms of protective gear.

Types of Plague

• Three main variants:
  • Bubonic: Spread via fleas; survival rate 25%-75%.
  • Pneumonic: Spread via inhalation; survival rate 5%-10%.
  • Septicemic: Direct blood infection; survival rate near 0%.

Bloodletting and Hygiene

• Bloodletting was a common treatment, exposing patients and doctors to further risk of septicemic plague.
• Homes often had dirty straw floors, contributing to the filthy living conditions.

Quarantine Practices

• Venice imposed the first quarantine in 1348, isolating ships for 30 days to prevent plague spread.
• Later extended to 40 days, giving rise to the term "quarantine."

Aftermath and Improvements

• Despite the massive death toll, the plague led to improvements in health and lifespan for survivors.
• Reasons include:
  • Higher wages and cheaper food prices post-plague.
  • Potential for hardier survivors due to population reduction.

Conclusion

• Reflection on personal hygiene practices in 14th century Europe versus today.