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From: "Sally Pavia" <>
Subject: The Plague in Scotland and Ireland
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 13:54:30 -0700

The Plague in Scotland and Ireland

Imagine a sudden illness killing one third of the entire population without
any explanation. Such was life during the mid-14th century when the Bubonic
Plague Yersinia pestis, spread death and destruction throughout Europe. Most
major centres were affected by the Plague, and Scotland and Ireland were no
exception.

Although people did not realize it at the time, ordinary fleas spread the
Plague. The fleas were transported by rats that were a common sight in the
cities. Living off garbage and sewerage, the rats spread the fleas - and
diseases - to man. Ironically, the Plague did not affect the flea: when a
rat died the flea just moved on to the next host - be it man or beast. When
the flea bit a new host it regurgitated some of the blood in its stomach and
thus spread the disease.

But in the absence of any rational or reasonable explanation for the cause
of the Plague, a frightened and superstitious people cast blame for sudden
calamaties on whatever scapegoat was handy. Frequently Jews and suspected
witches were targetted as responsible - as were strangers or any one else
deemed "different". When there was no one available or left to blame, major
catastrophes such as the Plague were often viewed as retribution or
punishment from God.

The first recorded outbreak of the Plague occurred during the reign of
Emperor Justinian in Constantinople. The Emperor's reign was in the sixth
century AD and it is recorded that from 540-590 AD the plague swept through
Europe attacking and killing a large part of the population. Ireland and
Scotland were not immune but little is known of its effects on the
population at that time.

Want to read more??
http://www.tartans.com/articles/plague.html


Sally Rolls Pavia

"Books permit us to voyage through time, to tap the wisdom of our
ancestors."
.. Carl Sagan
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• The Plague in Scotland and Ireland by "Sally Pavia" <>