The epidemic of plague that took place in the fourteenth century in Europe was not the first occurrence of this infection, but people still seemed unprepared to respond properly. Paris Medical Faculty issued their explanations of the nature and causes of the Black Death. According to the institution, the pestilence that affected France, Italy, Germany, and other countries was majorly a result of some configurations of planets (Horrox, 2000). It was noted that Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn corrupted the air on the Earth by enhancing vapors that caused diseases. The Faculty added that the vapor and hot air were also a result of storms. Weather conditions were also mentioned as one of the reasons for the spread of the plague. For instance, wet and cool weather was associated with an increase in the number of infected and diseased. People’s lifestyle was also seen as a contributing factor as people who led a bad life (were active and had too much exercise) could become victims, Such groups as weak people, children, and women, as well as corpulent people. On the other hand, those who were religious, rightful, and had a good lifestyle could be spared.
Modern medicine has a different view concerning the causes and outcomes of the epidemics of plague in Europe. The reliance of people of the past on religion and astrology can be understood as those people who had limited or no knowledge of viruses and bacteria, physiology, and other aspects of health and disease. At that, they still made some correct conclusions related to the link between weather and infection spread. It is also clear that the erroneous understanding of the nature and causes of the disease led to incorrect treatment and sometimes prevention.
Reference
Horrox, R. (2000). The Black Death.