Myth

The children's nursery or playground rhyme "Ring-a-ring a roses" describes the symptoms and final result of catching the Black Death. Its ancient meaning has been lost over time.

Reality

The Black Death (1347-50) was a devastating pandemic that hit Europe in the mid-14th century, killing around a third of Europe's population.

The initial 14th-century European event was called the "Great Mortality" by contemporary writers and, with later outbreaks, became know as the "Black Death" as a result of the striking symptom of the disease. Due to subdermal hemorrhages the skin would blacken due to acral necrosis.

"Ring-a-ring a roses" is not contemporary with the events of the mid 14th century. It comes much later and none of the symptoms referred too in the rhyme; 'ring of roses' (allegedly a ring of blotches on the wrist), sneezing and the use of 'posses' as a deterrent have any basis in reality either in accounts of the time or contemporary to the period of the Black Death

The three forms of plague brought an array of signs and symptoms to those infected. Bubonic plague refers to the painful lymph node swellings called buboes. The septicemic plague is called "Blood poisoning" and pneumonic plague is an airborne plague that forms a first attack on the lungs. The classic sign of bubonic plague was the appearance of buboes in the groin and armpits, which ooze pus and blood. Victims underwent damage to the skin and underlying tissue until they were covered in dark blotches. This symptom, called acral necrosis, led to the disease being called the "Black" plague. Most victims died within four to seven days after infection. When plague reached Europe, it first struck port cities and then followed the trade routes, both by sea and land.

The bubonic plague was the most commonly seen form of the Black Death, with a mortality rate of thirty to seventy-five percent and symptoms including fever of 38 to 41 °C (101-105 °F), headaches, aching joints, nausea and vomiting, and a general feeling of malaise. The pneumonic plague was the second most commonly seen form of the Black Death, with a mortality rate of ninety to ninety-five percent. Symptoms included slimy sputum tinted with blood. As the disease progressed, sputum became free flowing and bright red. Septicemic plague was the most rare of the three forms, with mortality close to 100 percent. Symptoms were high fevers and skin turning deep shades of purple due to DIC (Disseminated intravascular coagulation).

Tags: Ring a Ring, plague, black death