The Black Plague: A European Epidemic

February 15, 1348 Angus Richardson Florence: A punishment from God? An act of vengeance from the Jews? Many reasons for the occurrence of the Black Plague, or the Black Death as some call it, can be given although none of these explanations change the fact that Europeans everywhere are dying. Many, up to two thirds in some situations, of the people in Europe are dying. Many especially are dying in this city of Florence. The Black Plague acts very quickly. In this reporters interview with Boccacio, he describes in great detail the effects of the plague. it showed its first signs in men and women alike by means of swellings either in the groin or the armpits, some of which grew to the size of an ordinary apple and other the size of an egg (more or less), and the people called them gavocciloli. And from the two parts of the body already mention, in very little time, the said deadly gavocciloli began to spread indiscriminately over every part of the body; then after this the symptoms of the illness changed to black or livid spots appearing on the arms and thigh, and on every part of the body sometimes there were large ones and other rimes a number of little ones scattered all around. These spots are thought be the cause of death in people and are extremely deadly. Many seek medical treatment, but very few who contract the disease are cured. The disease is extremely contagious. Simply being in the same room as an afflicted person is enough to contract the disease yourself. When approached on the subject Boccacio had this to say: This pestilence was so powerful that it was transmitted to the healthy by contact with the

sick, the way a fire close to dry or oily things will set them aflame. And the evil of the plague went even further: not only did talking to them or being around the sick bring infection and a common death, but also touching the clothes of the sick or anything touched or used by them seemed to communicate this very disease to the person involved. This disease is highly contagious, it is wise to stay away from those, even loved ones, who suffer from the plague. Many different people try to combat the disease in different ways. Many separate themselves from cities and towns and seclude themselves. They eat and drink in moderation, thinking that living modestly would protect them from the effects of the plague. Others drink and party in excess, thinking that they could die any minute so they might as well enjoy themselves. Boccacio had this to say about the partiers And in this great affliction and misery of our city the reversed authority of the laws, both divine and human, had fallen and almost completely disappeared, for, like other men, the ministers and executioners of the laws were either dead or sick or so short of help that it was impossible for them to fulfill their duties; ad as a result everybody was free to do as he pleased. Others took a middle ground and do not eat as modestly and do not live as Dionysian as the partiers. The conditions in Florence are horrible. The bodies pile high in the streets. They remain in their homes and deathbeds, were entire families have been wiped out by the pestilence. Efforts to clean up the streets of filth and bodies have amounted to naught, for it is impossible to staunch the flow of putrid bodies that fill our once beautiful city and choke off the life of the European people.