Ep 7. Deadly Diseases

In season 1, episode 7 of Horrible Science, titled Deadly Diseases, viewers are taken on a journey through the history of some of the world's most dangerous and deadly diseases. Host, Dr. Rattus, and his trusty lab assistant, Barry, use humor and interesting experiments to explain how different diseases are spread and the impact they have had on society.

The episode begins with a brief history of the bubonic plague, or the "Black Death," which killed millions of people in Europe during the 14th century. Dr. Rattus explains how the disease is spread through flea bites and how it affects the body. He also shares some of the bizarre and sometimes dangerous treatments that were used to try and cure the disease, such as placing a live chicken on the bubo (swollen lymph node) in order to draw out the poison.

Next, the show dives into the history of smallpox, which was once one of the most deadly diseases in the world. With the help of a guest expert, Dr. Rattus explains how smallpox spreads and how the discovery of the smallpox vaccine changed the course of history. He also shares some interesting facts about the disease, such as the fact that it was used as a biological weapon by the British army in the Revolutionary War.

Moving on to more recent history, the show explores the influenza pandemic of 1918, which killed millions of people worldwide. Dr. Rattus explains how the flu virus mutates and changes, leading to different strains of the disease. He also discusses the impact that the pandemic had on society and how it influenced the development of modern medicine.

In the second half of the episode, the focus shifts to some of the more modern diseases that have emerged in recent years. Dr. Rattus explains how diseases like SARS, Ebola, and Zika spread and shares some of the challenges that scientists face in trying to develop vaccines and treatments for these diseases.

Throughout the episode, Horrible Science uses humor and clever experiments to make complex scientific concepts accessible to viewers of all ages. For instance, they use a giant mousetrap to demonstrate how diseases can be spread from person to person, and they use a silly string gun to show how vaccines work in the body.

Overall, season 1, episode 7 of Horrible Science is an entertaining and informative look at the history of deadly diseases. It provides a fascinating window into the world of infectious diseases, while also emphasizing the importance of vaccines and modern medicine in preventing and treating these illnesses.