Was the Black Death bubonic or pneumonic?

Study for the WJEC GCSE History of Medicine Test. Engage with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question providing hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam effectively!

Multiple Choice

Was the Black Death bubonic or pneumonic?

Explanation:
The main idea is that the medieval Black Death is most closely associated with bubonic plague. It was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis transmitted by fleas on rats, and the hallmark sign reported in many accounts is the appearance of buboes—swollen, painful lymph nodes—along with fever and weakness. While pneumonic plague (affecting the lungs) and septicemic plague (in the bloodstream) can occur, they are not what the classic outbreak is defined by. Viral would not fit, since plague is bacterial. So bubonic is the best answer.

The main idea is that the medieval Black Death is most closely associated with bubonic plague. It was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis transmitted by fleas on rats, and the hallmark sign reported in many accounts is the appearance of buboes—swollen, painful lymph nodes—along with fever and weakness. While pneumonic plague (affecting the lungs) and septicemic plague (in the bloodstream) can occur, they are not what the classic outbreak is defined by. Viral would not fit, since plague is bacterial. So bubonic is the best answer.

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