Since the Black Death, the Plague Doctor Costume is associated with death, as a sign that plague is near. Because it had it struck so d estructively (between 30% to 60% of Europe's population died during the pandemic) and affected everyone, from kings to poor, from old to child, it remained ingrained in our culture as a memento mori. Among famous plague doctor who gave medical advice to be used against the plague were Nostradamus and Paracelsus. The largest plague epidemic was the Black Death i n Europe, in the 14th century. Plague doctors would also carry a cane to examine patients without the need to make direct contact with them.Īt the time doctors thought that the herbs would chase away the miasma, aka the "evil" smells of the plague, and thus protect them from the disease. The beak could contain dried flowers (roses), herbs (mint), spices (cloves, camphor). It was a sort of respirator, with nose holes designed for breathing.
The mask had round eye-holes, covered with clear glass and a bird shaped like beak, and was attached to the face with straps.
The suit consisted from a bird-like mask with spectacles, and a long leather or waxed-canvas gown, which covered the doctor from neck to ankle. The suit, as well as the gloves, leggings, boots and the hat were impregnated with fragrance extracted from spices and herbs, similar to the one used for the beak mask. Some plague doctors wore a special costume, invented by Charles de Lorme in 17th century, the physician of three French kings: Henri IV, Louis XIII and Louis XIV (Le Roi Soleil). A plague doctor was a medical physician hired by city halls to treat inhabitants affected by the disease during 17th-19th centuries.
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