The Social and Medical Situation in Medieval Europe in 1348 - Part 1

Phyllis's drawing of a black rat

Online Dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/

The situation in medieval Europe when the plague struck was exacerbatedbacteriasuperstitionpervasive (made worse) by ignorance, exacerbatedpervasivesuperstitionbacteria (excessive and unfounded beliefs in supernatural forces), unsanitary living conditions and poor medical practice.

At the time, no one knew the cause of the disease or suspected the existence of bacteriaexacerbatedsuperstitionpervasive (microorganisms that can cause disease). Many falsely assumed that the disease was caused by the movements of heavenly bodies or by infected air, known as a "exacerbatedbacteriamiasmapervasive". There was also a pervasiveexacerbatedsuperstitionbacteria (wide-spread and entrenched) belief that the plague was God's punishment for sin. There was generally a lack of systematic observation and evidence-based medical practice.