What did they do when had the plague?
When the plague struck, communities and individuals took various measures to try and contain the spread of the disease and cope with its impact. Here are some common practices during historical plague outbreaks:
1. Isolation and Quarantine: To prevent the spread of the disease, infected individuals were isolated, often in designated hospitals or quarantine facilities. Healthy individuals who had been in contact with the infected were also quarantined for observation.
2. Fumigation and Disinfection: People fumigated houses, streets, and public spaces with various substances like vinegar, herbs, and sulfur to disinfect and cleanse the environment. They also burned infected clothing, bedding, and belongings.
3. Medical Treatments: While medical knowledge and treatments were limited, some remedies and practices were attempted. These could include herbal remedies, bloodletting, and purging. Some doctors wore protective clothing, such as early versions of face masks, to prevent infection.
4. Social Distancing: To reduce contact between individuals and prevent the transmission of the disease, communities might impose social distancing measures, limiting gatherings and interactions.
5. Religious Practices: In times of crisis, people often turned to religion for comfort and support. Religious rituals, prayers, and processions were conducted to seek divine intervention and protection.
6. Burial Practices: Due to the high number of deaths, mass graves were sometimes created for quick and efficient burial. Proper handling and disposal of bodies were important to prevent further infection.
7. Economic Impact: The plague often caused significant disruptions to trade, commerce, and daily life. Labor shortages, food shortages, and economic instability could result from the widespread loss of life and workforce.
8. Travel Restrictions: Cities might impose travel restrictions or border controls to prevent people from entering or leaving infected areas, aiming to contain the outbreak.
9. Public Health Measures: Local authorities sometimes instituted public health measures, such as improved sanitation, cleaning of streets and water sources, and regulations for waste disposal to try and reduce the risk of infection.
10. Civic Measures: Cities and governments often took steps to support their citizens during the crisis, including providing food and financial assistance to the affected families and organizing collective efforts to combat the disease.
11. Mass Graves: Overcrowded cities often lacked the resources to handle a large number of deaths. They buried the dead in mass graves to conserve resources.
12. Closure of Public Places: Schools closed to prevent students from infecting each other. Public gatherings would also avoid to prevent people from coming into close contact.
It's important to note that the understanding and response to the plague varied according to cultural, medical, and societal factors during different time periods and locations. The specific practices could differ depending on the context and severity of the outbreak.