200 THE INVISIBLE WORLD 



terrible. The poison generated by the microbes is 

 exceedingly virulent. It goes in blood streams 

 through the system. Glands, like the armpits and 

 groins, become inflamed and swollen. The swell- 

 ings are called buboes; hence the name, bubonic 

 plague. On the buboes scabs are formed an inch 

 in diameter. They turn black; hence the plague 

 was formerly called " The Black Death." 



Liver, spleen, kidneys also become inflamed. 

 Chills shake the nerves. Temperature mounts up. 

 Fever burns like a fire. More than words can tell, 

 the patient suffers. Death is a welcome relief. 



Flies, mice, especially rats, carry the germs, 

 spread the disease. These animals have it them- 

 selves and perish in great numbers. 



In parts of Asia, India, Persia, Bombay, the 

 plague is endemic. Here originating, it spreads in 

 epidemics over Europe. From the year 1500 to 

 the year 1840 Europe was scourged by 96 epidemics. 

 In the fourteenth century an epidemic overspread 

 the country, continued six years, destroyed 25,000,- 

 000 lives one fourth of all the inhabitants in 

 Europe. 



Dense was the ignorance in regard to the plague. 

 No one knew what it was. No one knew its cause. 

 No one knew how it was spread. No one knew 

 how to treat it. No one knew how to prevent or 

 control it. In their ignorance the people were 

 amazed, dazed, crazed, died. 



But to-day what a change! Knowledge has 

 lifted the cloud. The plague is understood. Its 



