E8: The History of Plague – Part 1. The Three Great Pandemics by John Frith

This text presents an overview of the history of plague, focusing on three major global pandemics. It describes Yersinia pestis as the causative bacterium, transmitted primarily by fleas from rats, and explains its various forms, including bubonic, septicaemic, and pneumonic plague. The document outlines the Justinian Plague (6th century), the Black Death (14th century), and the Third Pandemic (19th-20th centuries), detailing their origins, spread, and significant social and economic impacts. It also touches upon the discovery of the bacillus and the development of public health measures like quarantine.   You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/the-history-of-plague-part-1-the-three-great-pandemics/