What were the precautions for black plague?

During the time of the Black Plague pandemic in the 14th century, precautions and preventive measures were limited by the scientific understanding and medical knowledge available at the time. However, certain practices were implemented to try and mitigate the spread of the disease. Here are some of the precautions that were taken:

Isolation and Quarantine:

- Isolation: Individuals who showed symptoms of the plague were isolated from healthy people to prevent further transmission. This was done by confining them to their homes or designated isolation facilities.

- Quarantine: Travelers and goods arriving from affected areas were often subject to quarantine measures. They were required to remain in designated locations for observation periods before being allowed into unaffected areas.

Personal Hygiene:

- Frequent Hand Washing: People were advised to wash their hands regularly, especially after coming into contact with people or objects from affected areas.

- Bathing and Cleaning: Regular bathing and keeping the body clean were considered important for personal hygiene.

Avoidance of Contact with Infected Individuals and Animals:

- Contact with the Sick: People were cautioned to avoid contact with individuals showing symptoms of the plague, including coughing, sneezing, or swollen lymph nodes (buboes).

- Avoidance of Infected Animals: Rats and other animals were believed to carry the disease, so people tried to avoid contact with them or any objects they might have touched.

Burning and Fumigation:

- Burning of Infected Materials: Infected clothing, bedding, and other items were often burned to destroy potential sources of infection.

- Fumigation: Smoke from burning certain herbs and spices was used as a form of fumigation to cleanse and disinfect spaces.

Use of Protective Gear:

- Masks: Some people wore masks or coverings over their faces to try and protect themselves from inhaling infected droplets.

- Leather Garments: Leather gloves and protective clothing were sometimes used by those who handled infected individuals or materials to reduce the risk of contact with bodily fluids.

It's important to note that the effectiveness of these precautions was limited by the understanding of the disease and the lack of modern medical knowledge. In the absence of effective treatments and vaccines, these measures aimed to reduce the risk of infection but did not always prevent the spread of the plague.