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Key features of the plague in Thucydides' description
| Features present | Features not present |
|---|---|
| Fever | Begins on head |
| Rapid onset | Runny nose, sneezing |
| Dry cough (pneumonic plague only) | Red throat, hoarseness |
| Blisters or ulcers | Livid red rash |
| Sensation of intense internal heat | |
| Foul breath | |
| Retching, convulsions | |
| Diarrhea | |
| Buboes | |
| Sleeplessness | |
| Loss of sight | |
| Extremity gangrene | |
| Loss of memory |
Adapted from Page DL. Thucydides' description of the great plague of Athens. Classic Q 1953;3:97–119.
