What did people do when the black plague started killing them?

The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, killing an estimated 75 to 200 million people in the 14th century. The disease was caused by a bacterium called _Yersinia pestis_, which was spread by infected fleas that lived on rats.

When the Black Death first struck, people were terrified and confused. There was no known cure for the disease, and it spread rapidly, killing people within days or even hours. In some areas, up to half of the population died.

People responded to the plague in a variety of ways. Some turned to religion, praying for deliverance from the disease. Others tried to prevent the disease from spreading by avoiding contact with infected people or by wearing protective clothing. Some even fled their homes and villages in an attempt to escape the plague.

The Black Death had a profound impact on European society. It led to widespread economic disruption, social unrest, and political upheaval. It also changed the way people thought about life and death, and led to a new appreciation for the value of human life.

Here are some specific examples of what people did when the Black Plague started killing them:

* They turned to religion. Many people believed that the Black Death was a punishment from God for their sins. They prayed for deliverance from the disease and made pilgrimages to holy sites. Some people even joined religious orders in order to escape the plague.

* They tried to prevent the disease from spreading. People tried to prevent the disease from spreading by avoiding contact with infected people or by wearing protective clothing. Some even fled their homes and villages in an attempt to escape the plague.

* They sought medical treatment. There was no known cure for the Black Death, but people did seek medical treatment from doctors and apothecaries. Some doctors used bloodletting and other traditional treatments, while others tried more experimental treatments, such as burning sores with hot irons or applying herbal remedies.

* They changed their way of life. The Black Death had a profound impact on European society. It led to widespread economic disruption, social unrest, and political upheaval. It also changed the way people thought about life and death, and led to a new appreciation for the value of human life.