Exploration on the fulminating plague in Bianjing in 1232 and the climatic factors

Abstract

The plague occurred in Bianjing in 1232 was a serious event in the history of Chinese epidemic. It lasted for over 50 days, with a death toll of over 900,000. It is speculated that this is a mass epidemic of pneumonic plague and the pathogen was carried by the Mongolian Army when attacking Bianjing. At that time, the plague spread in Mongolian Army camp and finally involved the suburbs of Bianjing. After the army withdrawal, when Bianjing residents and soldiers went out of the city to collect foods and were unfortunately infected, and thus this dangerous infectious disease was transmitted into the city from the suburbs. Soon, the plague broke out and became epidemic in Bianjing during the 27-day period of 5 May-1 June, because of the cold snap rushed upon Bianjing on 1 June, the unusual weather was the motive for the mass epidemic of the plague. By then, it was popularly recognized as "exogenous cold damage". At present, facing the global climatologic changes, it is of great practical significance to explore the rich materials of plague and the climatic records accumulated in Chinese medicine.