Definition of Black plague
Black plague: In 14th-century Europe, the victims of the "black plague" had bleeding below the skin (subcutaneous hemorrhage) which made darkened ("blackened") their bodies. Black plague can lead to "black death" characterized by gangrene of the fingers, toes, and nose. Black plague is caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) which is transmitted to humans from infected rats by the oriental rat flea. Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM Back to MedTerms online medical dictionary A-Z List 
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