[Salamander]

The mass extermination of “witches’ familiars” [aka cats and to a lesser extent, dogs] let the rats flourish.

More rats = more fleas.

Hysteria has teetering on the verge of a new Burning Time.

[shibumi]

You know, there's a lot of misunderstanding about rats. ((The rodendus vermikitis as they're called in Latin.)

It turns out our long tailed friend wasn't after all responsible for the dreaded bubonic plague as alleged through history.

Yes, sir. It was caused by an animal called the bubon.

That's right, and the threat by the way is still with us. So if anyone does see a bubon, contact your local authorities.

(Historical data courtesy of the Cliff Clavin Institute for the Preservation of Vital Triviality.)