"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
                -- Calvin Coolidge

Author Topic: Black Death - The real one.  (Read 5314 times)

Sir Brian

  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 4,735
  • Felix uxor beatam vitam - Happy Wife Happy Life
    • Order of the Marshal
Black Death - The real one.
« on: 2011-09-02, 14:06:34 »
Here is an interesting news story about the Black Death in the Mid 14th C England. It's curious when they compared it to the death toll of the outbreak in the early 1900s in India, suggesting that the modern strain was a less virulent one.  ???
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/science/30plague.html?_r=1
"Chivalry our Strength, Brotherhood our sword"
Vert, on a Chief wavy Argent a Rose Sable,
a Gryphon Segreant Or

[img width=100 height=100]
<a href="http://s221.photobucket.com/user/Tah908/media/LP_Medals_zpsq7zzdvve.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i221.photobucket.

Sir William

  • Cogito ergo sum
  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 7,154
Re: Black Death - The real one.
« Reply #1 on: 2011-09-06, 15:34:51 »
As overpopulated as this globe is, we could use a good pandemic to thin the ranks, so to speak.  Of course, I would be overwrought should any of mine fall to it so I guess I'd rather it didn't.
The Black Knight, Order of the Marshal
'Per Pale Azure and Sable, a Chevron counterchanged fimbriated argent.' 
“Pride makes a man, it drives him, it is the shield wall around his reputation.  Men die, but reputation does not.â€

Sir Ancelyn

  • Squire of the Order
  • Forum Follower
  • ***
  • Posts: 178
  • Lux Lucet in Tenebris
    • Thoughts from Firethorn
Re: Black Death - The real one.
« Reply #2 on: 2011-10-07, 13:44:14 »
It makes sense really. There were 2-4 main Smallpox strains right up into the early 70's. The last natural cases reported were of the least virulent one, the one with the highest chances of survival.

So why not 2-3 main strains of Yersinis pestis?

Alternatively, given the general state of nutrition and hygene a few centuries ago a disease which seems weak to us now could have had more leeway to be a problem.

Sir William

  • Cogito ergo sum
  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 7,154
Re: Black Death - The real one.
« Reply #3 on: 2011-10-07, 16:15:03 »
Sir Ancelyn, haven't seen you in a while...good to see you around!
The Black Knight, Order of the Marshal
'Per Pale Azure and Sable, a Chevron counterchanged fimbriated argent.' 
“Pride makes a man, it drives him, it is the shield wall around his reputation.  Men die, but reputation does not.â€

Sir Ancelyn

  • Squire of the Order
  • Forum Follower
  • ***
  • Posts: 178
  • Lux Lucet in Tenebris
    • Thoughts from Firethorn
Re: Black Death - The real one.
« Reply #4 on: 2011-10-08, 01:11:32 »
Thanks Sir William.

Sir Wolf

  • He Who is Not to be Named
  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 5,389
  • i have too many hats
    • man e faces
Re: Black Death - The real one.
« Reply #5 on: 2011-10-08, 01:24:42 »
i once wrote a paper of the plague that came out in the 1600s (i think) that's been like 15+ years ago heheh
there were lots of plagues