D


uring the world’s most serious outbreak of the bubonic plague, from 1347 to 1353, cities employed plague doctors (a.k.a “beak doc-


tors”) to treat the infected regardless of class or social standing. The costumed aid work- ers were often young graduates or second-rate doctors – or had no professional medical training whatsoever. Regardless, all were well-paid due to the immense risks inherent to the profession and the scarcity of folks willing to don the mask and cloak. Plague doctors managed quarantines, conducted bloodlettings, occasionally autopsied victims and were responsible for the recording of plague deaths. Here’s how you’d spot one.


Fig. 1 Wide-Brimmed Hat Identified the wearer as a doctor.


Fig. 2 Glass-Covered Eye Openings


Were often tinted red, and were said to protect the wearer from evil. Fig. 3 Beak


Worn over the nose, it was filled with a mixture of aromatic substances, including cam- phor, cloves, garlic, mint, myrrh, rose petals and vinegar, to mask the smell of sickness and protect the wearer from the plague-carrying “bad air.”


Fig. 4 Overcoat A waxed overcoat constructed of heavy fabric provided protection against patients’


coughing and vomiting. It was worn tucked into the back of the beak doctor mask to minimize the exposure of skin.


Fig. 5 Rod The staff-like rod allowed plague doctors to examine a person without ever touching


them and it was also used as a pointer, when instructing people to move victims’ bodies. Fig. 6 Gloves and Full-Length Boots


Covered the extremities and thus offered additional protection against contagions. Fig. 7 Leather Britches


Provided protection for the legs and groin, a region thought to be particularly sensitive to the disease as the tell-tale boils usually appeared on the groin (and armpits) first.


19 RM


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