In reading about the Black Death, and the symptoms of the 1918 influenza, I wonder if they are not the same thing [or related disease]. In Europe, about a third of the population died.
<The death rate was 90% for those exposed to the bacterium. It was transmitted by the fleas from infected Old English black rats. The symptoms were clear: swollen lymph nodes (buboes, hence the name), high fever, and delirium. In the worst case, the lungs became infected and the pneumonic form was spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or simply talking.
From the time of infection to death was less than one week.>
Another article said that people would lunch with their friends and have dinner with their ancestors [dying within a day, which seems to be the case with some of some of these influenzas]. Also, symptoms include cyanosis and going black.
Of course in those 14th century days they had no idea that it was a bacteria and not a virus.
And how do they know it spread by rat fleas and not just from person to person as they also suggest?
It seems that $billions should be going to anti-viral vaccines. Cancer is a bigger killer, but at least cancer for the most part kills the old, who are near death anyway, whereas influenza viruses cheerfully kill children and young adults too, with whole lifetimes ready to go.
The world seems to always operate a day late and a dollar short, followed by the stupid mantra, "We will find out what happened, why it was allowed to happen and make sure it never happens again". That cliche is constantly used. 911 was such a case - anyone could see that open cockpit doors were an invitation to attack but it was only after the attacks that the stable door was shut after the horses had bolted into the cockpits. Now Grandma's toothpicks and nail clippers are considered lethal weapons and are confiscated.
Mqurice |
