[SunkenCiv]

full title:

Black Death Bacterium Identified: Genetic Analysis of Medieval Plague Skeletons Shows Presence of Yersinia Pestis Bacteria

[gusopol3]

Very interesting

[doc1019]

Later

[Malsua]

Above all, there was doubt because the modern plague pathogen spreads much more slowly and is less deadly than the medieval plague

Why is this a mystery? Besides the obvious sanitation and living condition differences, the folks that lived through had a genetic reason for living through it. Those that died genetically are much less represented today than they were back then.

[dog breath]

I am still not sure from reading these articles if the plague might of been a very virulent strain or that genetic resistance in the survivors just increased over time.

[aruanan]

On a related note, did you hear about the plague researcher at the University of Chicago who died from it a couple of years ago?

[familyop]

The prairie dogs all around me have it. ;-)

[BuffaloJack]

In November and early December 1970, I spent 24 days in a military hospital in Vietnam after contracting bubonic plague from a batch of defective vaccine. When I was released I weighed 65 pounds less that the day I entered. Plague is a very painful hemoghagic disease. It took 10 days for the doctors to identify what I had. None had ever seen a case before.

[Moonman62]

Some historians believe the Black Death was the first major event that led to modern Western civilization, because it greatly increased the value of workers who were able to relocate, demand better conditions, and demand better compensation.

Personally, I believe the first event was the rediscovery of the Justinian Code.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Very interesting........

[QBFimi]

Funny - I thought T.F. (terminal flatulence)was the cause of all those deaths ;o)

[mrreaganaut]

Thanatology ping!

[bgill]

[P.O.E.]

“Plague Skeletons” would be a great name for a rock band.

(apologies to Dave Barry)