Despite his skill at herb-potions and surgery for wounds obtained in battle or while working, Dr Thompson was at a complete loss. His daughter had none of the usual signs of the black death. Her symptoms were more like pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and bloody sputum. She also thrashed about in her rumpled bed, complaining of fever, headaches and weakness.
Knowing he could do nothing for her broke his heart. Her death would come within three to four days at most. He knew from experience that when the black death infected a persons lungs or blood the sufferer died without exception.
Patients who displayed outward signs of the disease had a greater chance of recovery than others. These were the people who contracted bubonic plague and, whilst most died within a week, some did claw their way back to health.
The first sign of the bubonic plague was a small lump, like that caused by an insect bite. The “boils, followed. These swelled and hardened into painful “buboes” in the groin, armpits and behind the ear. Other symptoms were a blackened tongue, vomiting, sweats, stinking breath, shortage of breath, dark blotches on the skin, headaches, loss of appetite, restlessness and foamy and smelly urine.
Horrible as these signs were, they were symbols of hope to sufferers and their families.
This post was written for Sue Vincent’s write photo challenge – Sign. You can join in here: https://scvincent.com/2019/03/14/thursday-photo-prompt-sign-writephoto/
Oh goodness, were those actual symptoms of the plague? How terrible.
But a good response to Sue’s challenge!
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They really were, quite horrible, aren’t they? This popped into my mind at Sue’s suggestion of signs.
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You have got to love the plague Robbie, all those gruesome symptoms 🌹🌹🌹💜
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I find these things completely fascinating, Willow. When we were in Greenwich we stood in the spot where all the plague victims were buried and I always look out for graves bearing the skull and crossbones.
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Yes it’s a very interesting subject, I have read lots of information on the subject and some fantastic TV programs where the chronicle the way it spread with all the names of the people who survived or died.💜💜
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Oooh, I must look that TV program up – that is worth watching.
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😱 Certainly beats ManFlu, Robbie 😱
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You are right, Chris. If Terence were ever to complain of these symptoms, I would not mind him going to bed at all.
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I shall never complain about a cold again…
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It does put things in perspective.
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Those were the times, yet, today we do have some gruesome symptoms too. A wonderful write Roberta. Thank goodness, I have no symptom to report to Dr. Thompson.
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I am glad to hear that, Helene. The black plague was horrifying. There was a recent outbreak in Madagascar and it was pretty scary for people despite antibiotics.
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Yes, that was terrible indeed. It is scary how some diseases of the past are resurfacing today.
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Right down to the bitter details, Robbie. Well done. I can almost smell death eminating from your words.
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A terrible time in history, Tom. I recently re-read A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe. A different time but equally frightening.
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A deeply dark and sad interpretation of sign. I loved how well you characterized the disease in such short space!
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Thank you, it was a dark time in history.
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Fascinating and intense, Robbie. What a contrast when the worst symptoms were signs of hope. That must have been a devastating disease to the families of the time. 😦
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Thanks Diana. To terrible for words. I read A journal of a plague year by Daniel Defoe and it describes how the illness spread and how people died. It was awful.
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The signs of disease are not always obvious. That is part of a doctor’s skill, something that comes from experience. Sadly, for this father…(K)
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You are right about that Kerfe. Illness is never easy.
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Fascinating (but gross) subject. I nearly set part of my Book 2 WIP on Silk Road with the plague rampant. If I ever flirt with that idea again I’ll know where to look for my inspiration.
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I have also thought about writing about this time in history, Jessica. It would require a lot of research.
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great write up of this period in history, matches the prompt well!
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The prompt sign seems to bring out the worst in me, Kate. I wrote about rabies for Charli’s.
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rabies and chisels … got to read this one Robbie!
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I can’t find it, can I have a link please?
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A good write for the prompt. Very creative.
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Thank you
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What an awful time in history, when that was rampant.
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I suppose each period of history had its trials and tribulations, Jacqui. We have the age of technology which seems to be increasing cancer among people. We also have all this funny weather and acts of terrorism.
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So sad that the girl would die.
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So many died from the plague… figures we can barely comprehend these days for an illness…
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You are right, Sue. As a percentage of the total population, the figures were frightening.
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They were… the early fourteenth century Black Death halved the population of Europe.
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