Final answer:
To treat the black plague caused by Yersinia pestis, antibiotics such as gentamicin, fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin), streptomycin, and doxycycline are used, with prompt treatment being crucial due to the disease's potential severity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The antibiotics used to treat Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes black plague, include gentamicin, fluoroquinolones such as levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and doxycycline. These antibiotics are effective in resolving most cases of bubonic plague. However, earlier forms of the disease like septicemic and pneumonic plague require more urgent treatment due to their shorter incubation periods. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for survival, and the aforementioned antibiotics are the common choice for therapy in the United States.