What were the different theories about the mortality rate of the Black Death?

During the time of the Black Death, there were various theories proposed to explain the mortality rate associated with the pandemic. These theories can be categorized into three main perspectives: supernatural, environmental, and medical.

1. Supernatural Theories:
Many people during the medieval period believed that the Black Death was a punishment from God or a result of supernatural forces. They attributed the high mortality rate to divine wrath or the alignment of planets. Some even blamed specific groups, such as Jews or lepers, for causing the plague through their alleged wickedness.

2. Environmental Theories:
Another set of theories focused on environmental factors as the cause of the high mortality rate. These theories suggested that the plague was a result of miasma, a noxious air or poisonous vapor emanating from decomposing organic matter. It was believed that inhaling this polluted air led to the spread of the disease and the subsequent high death toll.

3. Medical Theories:
Medical theories emerged as physicians and scholars began to study the Black Death more closely. One prominent theory was the concept of "corrupted air" or "corruption theory." According to this theory, the plague was caused by the corruption of the air due to a combination of astrological events, earthquakes, and other natural phenomena. This theory also emphasized the importance of personal hygiene and cleanliness to prevent the spread of the disease.

Additionally, some medical theories proposed that the Black Death was caused by an imbalance of bodily humors or an excess of black bile. These theories often recommended bloodletting or the use of herbal remedies to restore the balance and treat the disease.

Overall, the different theories about the mortality rate of the Black Death reflected the limited scientific understanding of the time. It was not until later centuries that the true cause of the plague, the bacterium Yersinia pestis, was discovered, leading to a more accurate understanding of the disease and its mortality rate.