Black Plague and Alchemy

Michelle's English power point project

1. Black PlagueBlack Plague
By: Michelle MassoBy: Michelle Masso
Period 1Period 1
12/7/0912/7/09

2. Intro To Black DeathIntro To Black Death
•Unleashed a rampage of death across EuropeUnleashed a rampage of death across Europe
•Lasted three yearsLasted three years
•25 to 50 percent of Europe’s population had fallen 25 to 50 percent of Europe’s population had fallen
victim to pestilencevictim to pestilence
www.eyewitnesstohistory.comwww.eyewitnesstohistory.com
By: MichelleBy: Michelle

3. Forms of Black Death
Bubonic Plague (infection of the lymph
glands)
Septicemia Plague (infection of the blood)
Pneumonic Plague ( infection of the lungs)
Pneumonic Plague can spread from person
to person
www.dhpe.org/infect/plague.html
By:Michelle

4. Causes of Black DeathCauses of Black Death
Bites from infected fleasBites from infected fleas
By direct contact with the tissue or body By direct contact with the tissue or body
fluids of plague infected animalsfluids of plague infected animals
By inhaling infectious airborne droplets By inhaling infectious airborne droplets
from persons or animals with the plague from persons or animals with the plague
Chapple, Mike."Could we survive Plague? The Black Death Decimated Europe in Chapple, Mike."Could we survive Plague? The Black Death Decimated Europe in
the Middle Ages and a New Epidemic Is Closer Than We Think." Daily Post 1 the Middle Ages and a New Epidemic Is Closer Than We Think." Daily Post 1
Sept. 2004.[Liverpool, England].Print.Sept. 2004.[Liverpool, England].Print.
By: MichelleBy: Michelle

5. Black PlagueBlack Plague
The Plague led to an outbreak of anti-The Plague led to an outbreak of anti-
semitism-hostility toward jewssemitism-hostility toward jews
The worst in GermanyThe worst in Germany
Thought jews had poisoned their towns’ Thought jews had poisoned their towns’
wellswells
Many Jews fled to Poland, where the Many Jews fled to Poland, where the
king protected them.king protected them.
The Black Death, 1348 Ibis, 2001. Web. 3, Dec. 2009.< The Black Death, 1348 Ibis, 2001. Web. 3, Dec. 2009.<
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm >.http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm >.
By: MichelleBy: Michelle

6. Prevention of Black
Death
•Controlling rodent fleas
•Educating the public
•Contacting the medical
community in places
where plague occurs
•Barnett, Anthony. The Story of Rats: Their Impact on Us,
and Our Impact on Them. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen &
Unwin. 2001. Print.
•By: Michelle

7. Black Death in 1348Black Death in 1348
Coming out of the East, the Coming out of the East, the
Black Death reached the shores Black Death reached the shores
of Italy in the Spring of 1348of Italy in the Spring of 1348
Men, women, and children Men, women, and children
caught in it’s onslaught were caught in it’s onslaught were
bewildered, panicked and bewildered, panicked and
finally devastated.finally devastated.
They had no defense, and no They had no defense, and no
understanding of the cause of understanding of the cause of
the pestilencethe pestilence
Benedictow, Ole J. "The Black Death: The Greatest Benedictow, Ole J. "The Black Death: The Greatest
Catastrophe Ever." History Today Mar. 2005. Catastrophe Ever." History Today Mar. 2005.
Print.Print.
By: MichelleBy: Michelle

8. Information about Black Information about Black
PlaguePlague
•Bacterial DiseaseBacterial Disease
•Spread by rodents and Spread by rodents and
infected fleasinfected fleas
•Caught by humans and Caught by humans and
other animals who were other animals who were
bitten by infected fleasbitten by infected fleas
Defoe,Daniel. A Journal of the Plague Defoe,Daniel. A Journal of the Plague
Year. Oxford, England: Oxford Year. Oxford, England: Oxford
University Press, 1998. PrintUniversity Press, 1998. Print
By: MichelleBy: Michelle

9. Plague Affected On Social Plague Affected On Social
LadderLadder
•90% of wealth in England in the 1340’s was in 90% of wealth in England in the 1340’s was in
it’s land.it’s land.
•Once plague hit status was shiftedOnce plague hit status was shifted
•Lawyers and Women of gentry class benefited.Lawyers and Women of gentry class benefited.
The Black Death, 1348 Ibis, 2001. Web. 3, Dec. The Black Death, 1348 Ibis, 2001. Web. 3, Dec.
2009.<http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm >.2009.<http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm >.
By: MichelleBy: Michelle

10. Historical Timing of Black PlagueHistorical Timing of Black Plague
The arrival of the Mongols and the Ottomans had The arrival of the Mongols and the Ottomans had
disrupted trade routes disrupted trade routes
Certain areas of Europe were edging into Certain areas of Europe were edging into
depressiondepression
Climate was changing, with cooler and wetter Climate was changing, with cooler and wetter
weather creating lower crop yieldsweather creating lower crop yields
Population was increasingPopulation was increasing
The Church was in poor shapeThe Church was in poor shape
The Hundred Years’ War added to the plague and The Hundred Years’ War added to the plague and
faminefamine
Difficulties created by war and a constricted Difficulties created by war and a constricted
economy were exacerbated by the Black Deatheconomy were exacerbated by the Black Death
Encyclopedia article; Plague. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Encyclopedia article; Plague. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth
Edition. Columbia University Press. New York. 2009Edition. Columbia University Press. New York. 2009
By: MichelleBy: Michelle

11. Is The Children’s Game
Lyrics really referring
to the Black Death in
1348?
•Ring around the Rosy: One of the first visible signs of the
infection were red rings surrounding a rosy bump, all over the
victims body
•Pockets full of Posy: The plague created “foul air” so carrying
flowers helped them deal with the smell of death
•Ashes, Ashes: This is referring to all the ashes in the air, after
they had burned hundreds of dead bodies
We all fall down: This means that they too will eventually die of the
plague
–Holmes, George. The Later Middle Ages, 1272-1485. Edinburgh: Thomas
Nelson and Sons, 1962.iii.Print.
By: Michelle

12. Symptoms of Black DeathSymptoms of Black Death
Symptoms occurred between 2 to 6 days Symptoms occurred between 2 to 6 days
Hard, painful, burning lumps, on neck, Hard, painful, burning lumps, on neck,
underarms, and inner thighsunderarms, and inner thighs
Lumps soon turned black, split open, and Lumps soon turned black, split open, and
began to ooze bloodbegan to ooze blood
The average people who caught this disease The average people who caught this disease
died within a weekdied within a week
The ill would start to smell utterly revoltingThe ill would start to smell utterly revolting
 Plague Facts.2005.Web.2 Dec. 2009.< www.dhpe.org/infect/plague.html >.Plague Facts.2005.Web.2 Dec. 2009.< www.dhpe.org/infect/plague.html >.
 By: MichelleBy: Michelle

13. Consequences of Black DeathConsequences of Black Death
Trade Declined.Trade Declined.
The shortage of workers made the price of The shortage of workers made the price of
labor riselabor rise
The lowered demand for food resulted in The lowered demand for food resulted in
falling prices.falling prices.
The Black Death, 1348 Ibis, 2001. Web. 3, Dec. The Black Death, 1348 Ibis, 2001. Web. 3, Dec.
2009.<http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm >.2009.<http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm >.
By: MichelleBy: Michelle

14. Black Death in Relationship to
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare lost, brothers,
sisters, close friends, and fellow actors
William Shakespeare lived in the
Elizabethan Era, the same time when the
Plague stated
Theaters often closed due to the pestilence
Actors and writers would leave London to
try to escape the Plague
The Black Death, 1348 Ibis, 2001. Web. 3, Dec. 2009.<
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm >.
By: Michelle

15. Work Cited: Black Plague
Chapple, Mike."Could we survive Plague? The Black Death Decimated Europe in
the Middle Ages and a New Epidemic Is Closer Than We Think." Daily Post 1 Sept.
2004.[Liverpool, England].Print.
Barnett, Anthony. The Story of Rats: Their Impact on Us, and Our Impact on Them.
Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin. 2001. Print.
Benedictow, Ole J. "The Black Death: The Greatest Catastrophe Ever." History
Today Mar. 2005. Print.
Defoe,Daniel. A Journal of the Plague Year. Oxford, England: Oxford University
Press, 1998. Print.
Encyclopedia article; Plague. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia
University Press. New York. 2009.
Holmes, George. The Later Middle Ages, 1272-1485. Edinburgh: Thomas Nelson
and Sons, 1962.iii.Print.
Plague Facts.2005.Web.2 Dec. 2009.< www.dhpe.org/infect/plague.html >.
Totaro, Rebecca."English Plague and New World Promise." Utopian Studies 10
(1999). Print.
The Black Death, 1348 Ibis, 2001. Web. 3, Dec. 2009.<
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm >.

16. Alchemy
By Carlos Castellanos
Period 1
12/7/09

17. Alchemy
A medieval philosophy and early form of
chemistry
Aims were the transmutation of base metals
into gold, the discovery of a cure for all
diseases, and the preparation of a potion that
gives external youth
The imagined substance was capable of
turning other metals into gold was called the
philosopher’s stone
Alchemy. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition: Columbia Universtiy Press.New
York.2009.Print.
By: Carlos

18. Definition of Alchemy
A medieval chemical philosophy having as it’s
asserted aims the transmutation of base metals
into gold, the discovery of the panacea, and the
preparation of the elixir of longevity
A seemingly magical power or process of
transmuting
The hypothetical substance sought by alchemists
that was believed to transform base metals into
gold and give eternal life
www.thefreedictionary.com/alchemy
By: Carlos

19. Practitioners of Practitioners of
AlchemyAlchemy
Their goals were so unrealistic, and because they had Their goals were so unrealistic, and because they had
trouble achieving them, people in the Middle Ages trouble achieving them, people in the Middle Ages
gave them the reputation of fakers and con artistsgave them the reputation of fakers and con artists
While they never succeeded in turning lead into gold While they never succeeded in turning lead into gold
(one of their main goals), they did make discoveries (one of their main goals), they did make discoveries
that helped to shape modern chemistrythat helped to shape modern chemistry
Alchemists invented early forms of some of the Alchemists invented early forms of some of the
laboratory equipment used today, including beakers, laboratory equipment used today, including beakers,
crucibles, filters and stirring rods. Alchemy In the crucibles, filters and stirring rods. Alchemy In the
Middle Ages.2009.Web.2 Dec. 2009. Middle Ages.2009.Web.2 Dec. 2009.
<www.historymedren.about.com/od/alchemy/Alchemy_in_the _Middle_Ages.htm>.<www.historymedren.about.com/od/alchemy/Alchemy_in_the _Middle_Ages.htm>.
By: CarlosBy: Carlos

20. AlchemistsAlchemists
They discovered and purified a number of chemical They discovered and purified a number of chemical
elements, including mercury, sulfur, and arsenicelements, including mercury, sulfur, and arsenic
The methods they developed are still important today The methods they developed are still important today
They were one of the first people to have discovered They were one of the first people to have discovered
chemical elementschemical elements
Alchemy.The Free Dictionary Farlex, 2009. Web. 4 Dec. 2009. < Alchemy.The Free Dictionary Farlex, 2009. Web. 4 Dec. 2009. <
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/alchemy >.http://www.thefreedictionary.com/alchemy >.
By: CarlosBy: Carlos

21. Alchemy in the Middle AgesAlchemy in the Middle Ages
•Alchemy in the Middle Ages was a mixture of Alchemy in the Middle Ages was a mixture of
scicence, philosophy, and mysticism.scicence, philosophy, and mysticism.
•Far from operating within modern definitions of Far from operating within modern definitions of
a scientific discipline, medieval alchemists a scientific discipline, medieval alchemists
approached their craft with a holistic attitude.approached their craft with a holistic attitude.
•They believed that purity of mind, body, and They believed that purity of mind, body, and
sprit was necessary to pursue the alchemical sprit was necessary to pursue the alchemical
quest successfully.quest successfully.
Henderson, Joesph L, and Dyane N. Sherwood, Transformation of the Psyche: The Symbolic Henderson, Joesph L, and Dyane N. Sherwood, Transformation of the Psyche: The Symbolic
Alchemy. London: Brunner-Routledge,2003.Print.Alchemy. London: Brunner-Routledge,2003.Print.
By: CarlosBy: Carlos

22. Beliefs of AlchemistsBeliefs of Alchemists
At the heart of medieval alchemy was the idea At the heart of medieval alchemy was the idea
that all matter was composed of four elements: that all matter was composed of four elements:
earth, air, fire, and waterearth, air, fire, and water
With the right combination of elements on earth With the right combination of elements on earth
it was theorized that any substance might be it was theorized that any substance might be
formed.formed.
Alchemists believed that the “transmutation” of Alchemists believed that the “transmutation” of
one substance into another was possibleone substance into another was possible
Osler, Margaret J. "Atoms and Alchemy; Chemsitry and the Experimental Origins of Scientific Osler, Margaret J. "Atoms and Alchemy; Chemsitry and the Experimental Origins of Scientific
Revolution." Journal of History 42 (2007).Print.Revolution." Journal of History 42 (2007).Print.
By: CarlosBy: Carlos

23. Symbols of AlchemySymbols of Alchemy
Medieval alchemy was much as an art as a Medieval alchemy was much as an art as a
sciencescience
Probationers preserved their secretsProbationers preserved their secrets
With an obfuscating system of symbols and With an obfuscating system of symbols and
mysterious names for the materials they mysterious names for the materials they
studied, they kept their studies undercoverstudied, they kept their studies undercover
Read, John.Prelude to Chemistry: An Outline Of Alchemy, It's Literature and Relationships.New Read, John.Prelude to Chemistry: An Outline Of Alchemy, It's Literature and Relationships.New
York: Macmilan, 1937.Print.York: Macmilan, 1937.Print.
By: CarlosBy: Carlos

24. Origins and history of alchemy Origins and history of alchemy
Alchemy originated in ancient times, Alchemy originated in ancient times,
evolving independently in china, evolving independently in china,
India, and GreeceIndia, and Greece
In all these areas the practice In all these areas the practice
ultimately degenerated into ultimately degenerated into
superstition, but it migrated to Egypt superstition, but it migrated to Egypt
and survived as a scholarly and survived as a scholarly
disciplinediscipline
By the 13By the 13
thth
century it was discussed century it was discussed
seriously by leading philosophers, seriously by leading philosophers,
scientists, and theologians.scientists, and theologians.
Salant, Nathan S. The Mystery of Human Salant, Nathan S. The Mystery of Human
Relationship: Alchemy and the Transformation of Relationship: Alchemy and the Transformation of
the Self.London:Routledge,1998.Print.the Self.London:Routledge,1998.Print.
By: CarlosBy: Carlos

25. Goals
To discover the relationship of man to the
cosmos and take advantage of that
relationship to the betterment to mankind.
To find the “philosopher’s stone,” an elusive
substance that was believed to make possible
the creation of an elixir of immortality and the
transmutation of common substances into
gold.
In the later middle ages, to use alchemy as a
tool in advancement of medicine
Slessor, Catherine."Alchemy and Invention." The Architectural Review Oct. 1998.Print.
By: Carlos

26. AchievementsAchievements
Medieval alchemists produced hydrochloric Medieval alchemists produced hydrochloric
acid, nitric acid, potash and sodium carbonate.acid, nitric acid, potash and sodium carbonate.
Thought their experiments, medieval Thought their experiments, medieval
alchemists invented and developed laboratory alchemists invented and developed laboratory
devices and procedures that are, in modified devices and procedures that are, in modified
form, still used todayform, still used today
The practice of alchemy laid the foundation for The practice of alchemy laid the foundation for
the development f chemistry as a scientific the development f chemistry as a scientific
disciplinediscipline
Alchemy In the Middle Ages.2009.Web.2 Dec. 2009. Alchemy In the Middle Ages.2009.Web.2 Dec. 2009.
<www.historymedren.about.com/od/alchemy/Alchemy_in_the <www.historymedren.about.com/od/alchemy/Alchemy_in_the
_Middle_Ages.htm>._Middle_Ages.htm>.
By: CarlosBy: Carlos

27. Work Cited: Alchemy
Alchemy. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition: Columbia
Universtiy Press.New York.2009.Print.
Alchemy In the Middle Ages.2009.Web.2 Dec. 2009.
<www.historymedren.about.com/od/alchemy/Alchemy_in_the
_Middle_Ages.htm>.
Alchemy.The Free Dictionary Farlex, 2009. Web. 4 Dec. 2009. <
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/alchemy >.
Henderson, Joesph L, and Dyane N. Sherwood, Transformation of
the Psyche: The Symbolic Alchemy. London: Brunner-
Routledge,2003.Print.
Osler, Margaret J. "Atoms and Alchemy; Chemsitry and the
Experimental Origins of Scientific Revolution." Journal of History
42 (2007).Print.
Read, John.Prelude to Chemistry: An Outline Of Alchemy, It's
Literature and Relationships.New York: Macmilan, 1937.Print.
Salant, Nathan S. The Mystery of Human Relationship: Alchemy
and the Transformation of the Self.London:Routledge,1998.Print.
Slessor, Catherine."Alchemy and Invention." The Architectural
Review Oct. 1998.Print.