Miscellaneous > The Sallyport
Black Death - The real one.
Sir Brian:
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
Sir William:
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.
Sir Ancelyn:
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:
Sir Ancelyn, haven't seen you in a while...good to see you around!
Sir Ancelyn:
Thanks Sir William.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version