t "afflictions of the soul" or astrological imbalances caused the disease (Ziegler 23). Others thought climate or contaminated air in the form of miasma was the culprit (Horrox 44). In 1578 nation-wide plague regulations were established. Clothing and bedding of the plague victims had to be burned, household possessions were to be burned, and the dead were to be cremated. In some cases whole houses were burnt down if they were thought to be plague infested (Watts 19). Other preventive measures such as, sanitation, killing of rats, and the prevention in the transport of rats on ships are effective in reducing the incidence of plague (Encarta n.pag.).
             Black Plague is caused by a short, thick, gram-negative bacillus, Yersnia pestis. Bubonic plague is transmitted by the bite of a rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) which is parasitic on the brown rat. In pneumonic plague the lung is the site of infection and is transmitted by droplets from the lungs or mouth. When the infection spreads to other parts of the body it turns into septicemic plague which can be initiated by direct contact of contaminated hands, food, or objects with the mucous membranes of the nose and throat (Encarta n.pag.). The fleas on rats transmitted the disease to humans easily because the fleas would hide in silk or linen being shipped to other countries. Also the fleas would contaminate food sources li
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