The Plague: Debunking the Myth of “Bad Air”
During the time of the Plague, a prevailing belief held that the disease was caused by the release of “bad air” from the ground, triggered by nearby earthquakes. These seismic activities did contribute to an alarming surge in the rat population, with some accounts describing the sight of countless rats swimming through water or scurrying through the streets. However, contrary to popular belief, the air itself was not the culprit behind the epidemic.
Among the plethora of wild theories circulating at the time, two stood out prominently. One suggested that the Plague was a divine punishment inflicted upon Europeans for their sins. Another claimed that the Jewish population deliberately contaminated the water supply. Both notions, however, lacked substantial evidence and were ultimately debunked.
Unconventional Methods Employed by Doctors to Treat the Plague
During the time of the Plague, doctors were overwhelmed with the high number of patients and lacked the necessary knowledge and resources to effectively combat the disease. As a result, they resorted to various unconventional methods in an attempt to find a cure. These methods ranged from blood-letting and applying onion poultices to administering vinegar, crushed minerals, and even arsenic to their patients. Some doctors even went as far as rubbing chunks of dead snakes on the painful boils that appeared on the bodies of the infected. Additionally, certain physicians suggested that patients sit near a fire or in the sewer, believing that the heat would help drive out the fever. Although bursting the buboes, which were swollen lymph nodes, was later found to have some success, it also carried the risk of causing secondary infections.