Plague and Fleas

Abstract

IT is a matter of dispute as to where in ancient literature the first definite mention of rats and plague is to be found, and where such mention does occur it is again uncertain what the author intended to convey. It can hardly be doubted, however, that Avicenna, who flourished about the year 1000, clearly refers to this relationship when he says, “Et de eis quae significant illud (the approach of plague) est ut videas mures et animalia quae habitant sub terra fugere ad superficiem terrae et “pate sedar” id est commoveri hinc hide sicut ebria.”