same illness, and almost nobody survived beyond the fourth day,” -Florentine Chronicle of Marchionne di Coppo di Stefano Buonaiuti (1327-1385) From the years 1347 - 1351 the most devastating plague pandemic in history, the Black Death, wiped out as much as a third of the European population. Would you survive the plague in the 14th century?? Contact with Yersinia pestis, or the bacterium responsible for the plague, can result in three major types of infection. Pneumonic plague or the infection of the lungs is spread by inhaling infected droplets from an infected human or animal. Septicemic plague or the infection of the blood is spread by flea bites or contact with infected fluids or tissue. And bubonic plague is the infection of the lymphatic system occurring from the bite of an infected flea. Most commonly the Black Death was spread through fleas on infected rodents which traveled with humans in boats and caravans along trade routes originating in Asia and ending all over Europe and Africa. From there infection spread throughout Europe, ravenging cities near ports or with large populations especially. Will you survive the Black Death if it were to happen at your college or university during the 14th century? Pick the answer to each question which best fits your experience!!! ***DISCLAIMER: I am in no way a medical expert, this quiz is merely the result of a thought experiment reflecting on the differences between the 21st and 14th centuries. Results of this quiz are not in any way indicative of 21st century plague transmission probability. If you have real concerns regarding Yersinia pestis infection please consult a medical expert as soon as possible.