The Great Plague

Question 1

What were some of the believed causes of the Great Plague?

Answer 1

• Many people still believed an imbalance of the humours or the movement of the planets caused disease
• It was believed that rotting waste / stagnant water could lead to bad smells and bad air (miasma) that caused disease
• Towns were filthy and few people took care of their hygiene. In 1721 life expectancy was only 32 years old.b

Question 2

What were some treatments to combat the Great Plague?

Answer 2

• Traders sold ‘Great Medicines’ which they claimed saved lives. These medicines could include ingredients such as wine, treacle, herbs, spices, honey, opium.
• In desperation people tried remedies such as cutting open buboes to let the pus out or putting live pigeons into sores
• Physicians continued to bleed and purge the sick. Although many physicians left London for the countryside.
• Many believed that the plague was caused by God’s will and prayed for the sick or gave them religious charms to wear.

Question 3

What was the average life expectancy in 1721?

Answer 3

32 years old

Question 4

What were some methods of prevention for the Great Plague?

Answer 4

• The Mayor of London ordered public days of confession and prayer. Red crosses were drawn on doors or prayer such as ‘God have mercy on us’.
• Carts collected dead bodies at night and buried them in mass graves.
• Pigs , dogs, cats and other animals were banned in the city. As many as 40,000 stray dogs and 200,000 cats were killed by dog-killers under the Mayor’s instruction
• Public places were closed e.g. theatres and dance houses and games were banned to stop large crowds assembling.
• To prevent the Plague many believed bad air should be tackled. To do this people carried around strong smelling herbs, or hung them in doorways and windows. Some people drank ‘plague water’ – a combination of wine and herbs.
• Many people stayed at home to avoid the Plague, others deserted the city. Plague victims and their families were shut in their houses, where they were guarded by watchmen or removed to pest-houses in less crowded parts of the city.
• Some people thought the miasma could only be fought off with powerful smells. Dr Francis Glisson, a Cambridge Professor, encouraged people to keep dried manure from someone who had died of the plague in their room. Others were encouraged to chew or smoke tobacco.
• Instruction of the Mayor: Fires were lit in the streets to purify the air. Bedding was hung in smoke fires before being used again. Rotten food was banned from sale , again to purify their air.

Question 5

What was “Plague water”

Answer 5

A combination of wine and herbs

Question 6

When was the Great Plague?

Answer 6

1665

Question 7

What occurence ended the Great Plague?

Answer 7

The Great Fire of London in 1666

Question 8

How many people died in London during the Great Plague?

Answer 8

100,000, around 20% of the city’s population