nd TreatmentMany preventive measures can be used to reduce the spread of the plague (sanitation,killing of rats, prevention in transport of rats). Individuals who contract the disease are isolated,fed fluids and put to bed. During World War II, scientists using sulfa drugs were able toproduce cures of plague.Since it is a bacteria, the bubonic plague can be treated with antibiotics. Tetracyline,Streptomycin, and Chloramphenicol are three of the antibiotics used to prevent plague.Sometimes, they are even mixed together to form an antibiotic cocktail. The plague can almostalways be cured when it is recognized fast enough.Since the late 19th century bubonic plague vaccinations have been in use. There is avaccine that can be taken in a six to month installment period, but there is a element of risk tothis vaccination. This vaccination has been proven to be ineffective with people younger thaneighteen and older than sixty. The side effects of this vaccination can sometimes result in deathand therefore it is not a good idea to use it.TransmissionDuring the Middle Ages, people did not have a clue as to why the plague was spreadingso quickly. But now we know that the bubonic plague is spread by fleas. YersinaPestis(bacteria) moves its way up to the upper digestive tract of the flea where it breeds andmultiplies. The flea must find a new host and when it does the flea drinks its blood andregurgitates the bacteria into the host. This also infects the host. Therefore, the plague can bespread by any rodent or animal who could get fleas.As soon as the bacteria is regurgitated into the new host, it begins to multiply inlymphatic system and the blood stream. The bacteria attacks the whole body at once bytravelling to the spleen, liver, brain, lungs and kidneys.IMPACT OF BUBONIC PLAGUE ON ENGLANDHow was the plague transmitted into England? There is much controversy concerningthe exact method by which the plague arrived in England. But it is certain th...
