from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Bubonic plague \Bubonic plague\ (Med.)
a severe and often fatal disease caused by infection with the
bacterium {Yersinia pestis} (formerly {Pasteurella pestis}),
transmitted to man by the bite of fleas, themselves usually
infected by biting infected rodents. It is characterized by
the formation of buboes, most notably on the groin and
armpits, and accompanied by weakness and high fever. The
disease was known as the {black death}, and was responsible
for several devastating plagues throughout the middle ages.
When lungs became infected, the disease was called the
{pneumonic plague}. It is still found occasionally in poor
areas of undeveloped countries but is rare in developed
countries.
[PJC]