Another Dog vs Cat Debate

[Oldman731]

How was the black plague initially brought to Europe?

...maybe...cats...?

- oldman

[Greebo]

How was the black plague initially brought to Europe?

Probably by people rather than rats. Most likely explanation is an invading Mongol army brought it with them to Constantinople from Asia. While besieging the city they catapulted plague-infected corpses over the walls. Genoese traders in the city fled by sea and carried the disease with them to Sicily, Italy and France. The majority of people who died from the plague got it from the coughs of infected people they were caring for. Breathing it into your lungs was almost certain death within a couple of days, getting it from a rat bite gave your body time to fight back.

 

[AKKuya]

Aliens hate dogs.

You base this on what empirical evidence?  How do you know that when the aliens show up.  The dogs won't kick the humans to curb and begin being the alien's best friend?

[Shuffler]

You base this on what empirical evidence?  How do you know that when the aliens show up.  The dogs won't kick the humans to curb and begin being the alien's best friend?

I have a fenced/walled in yard. No aliens of any kind have ever come onto the property.

[eagl]

I have a fenced/walled in yard. No aliens of any kind have ever come onto the property.

Because you live in flatland maybe?

[Zimme83]

How was the black plague initially brought to Europe?

 

Not with space ships...

[AKKuya]

Chimps might be helpful.  They can be both pet and trained assistant.  Just have to be careful in not turning Mars into a real Planet of the Apes.

[Ramesis]

Probably by people rather than rats. Most likely explanation is an invading Mongol army brought it with them to Constantinople from Asia. While besieging the city they catapulted plague-infected corpses over the walls. Genoese traders in the city fled by sea and carried the disease with them to Sicily, Italy and France. The majority of people who died from the plague got it from the coughs of infected people they were caring for. Breathing it into your lungs was almost certain death within a couple of days, getting it from a rat bite gave your body time to fight back.

True... but conventional wisdom says the plague was brought to Europe by rats stowaways on ships coming from the middle east to Europe

[pembquist]

I believe that factually, as shown in the Terminator documentaries, that dogs can detect killer robots in human skin so this might be an important argument for dog. On the other hand if the cats were fitted with exoskeletons I think even the threat of the Aliens, again refer to the Hollywood documentary, might be neutralized. Just make sure to stay on the cat's good side lest they take revenge for having been burned as witches back in the middle ages.

[pembquist]

How was the black plague initially brought to Europe?

 

Perhaps Martian spacecraft?

[AKKuya]

The loading of food stuffs would most likely be done in hermetically sealed containers and placed in vacuum capable compartments.  The risk of rodent stowaways would be very nil.  Lab rats and mice placed in transportable containers would have better chance of escape due to accidental issues.

Cats would be helpful. 

The real question would be the ability of either a cat or dog being able to sense approaching dust storms or other atmospheric phenomena while in a hermetically sealed environment.  We humans have relied on observing the reactions of the animal kingdom when storms have blown in suddenly.

On the more theoretical side, would any of the animals sense the presence of an alien?  a cyborg?  an annoying salesman?  What protection would the animals offer?

   

[Skyguns MKII]

The port I'm stationed at uses cars throughout to keep varmints off ships. Believe it or not Disney land does the same...

[Meatwad]

Why go to Mars when you can visit Recall..... 

[Oldman731]

[morfiend]

Probably by people rather than rats. Most likely explanation is an invading Mongol army brought it with them to Constantinople from Asia. While besieging the city they catapulted plague-infected corpses over the walls. Genoese traders in the city fled by sea and carried the disease with them to Sicily, Italy and France. The majority of people who died from the plague got it from the coughs of infected people they were caring for. Breathing it into your lungs was almost certain death within a couple of days, getting it from a rat bite gave your body time to fight back.

  The rats dont have the plague,their fleas do! It's common in the SW USA,ground squirrels carry the same flea that has the plague.

 Fleas and lice were a real problem back then,well people rarely bathed so it's no wonder.