- This topic has 4 voices and 4 replies.
-
Posts
-
The Black Death was caused by at least two strains of the Y. pestis bacteria, according to “conclusive evidence” recovered from remains of plague victims. The bacteria rode on fleas that were on rats, according to the widely-known theory about how the plague was dispersed throughout Europe.Black Death Blamed on BacteriaWhat I think is interesting is that scientists have been able to find different strains of the bacteria - one in southern Europe and the other in northern Europe. The idea is that the plague entered European ports and attacked the continent from two different directions. In other words, we can't blame the destruction simply on one ship that came in carrying disease-carrying rats.
Or perhaps the northern strain is a mutation. It is perfectly plausible that the Plague mutated as it moved north. What is missing is the date of death distribution of the victims they took samples from. Geographic separation is one factor but time is as well. There is also the hurdle of the historical record documenting the spread of the disease from south to north.
What about the plague that's alive and Kicking in the Nevada desert? It hasn't spred much, probably because of the harsh ambient, but I'd hate to imagine what would happen if it got to one of the big cities. Even though we know how to cure it, do you think we could exterminate it?
I remember reading that the Black Plague did not eradicate X% of the population equally from community to community. Some suffered few deaths while others were totally or nearly wiped out.
What about the plague that's alive and Kicking in the Nevada desert? It hasn't spred much, probably because of the harsh ambient, but I'd hate to imagine what would happen if it got to one of the big cities. Even though we know how to cure it, do you think we could exterminate it?
According to the CDC plague is more prevalent in Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and California than Nevada. Plague is endemic to many areas of the world. What is interesting is that Plague is one of those diseases, like Anthrax or Smallpox, that generate emotions that overwhelm reason when they are discussed in the general public. I doubt we will ever permanantly eradicate any disease. Even smallpox has not been eliminated, despite the WHO's claim to the contrary.I think the jury is still out as to whether it was one strain that mutated or two distinct strains that rbought the Black Death to Europe.
I remember reading that the Black Plague did not eradicate X% of the population equally from community to community. Some suffered few deaths while others were totally or nearly wiped out.
I have heard that as well, that it did not hit every town in its path. Why this may have been the case is anyone's guess. It could have been due to excessive fear on the part of people from certain towns that led them to self-quarantine quite effectively.
