During medieval times, the plague created the greatest terror throughout the world and was able to kill hundreds of millions of people in waves that no one could stop.
During that period we can say that the plague doctor is one of the most mysterious personalities that appeared in that period.
Why did medieval plague doctors wear strange beak masks?
Plague doctors were public officials that were hired by villages, towns, or cities when the plague occurred. In theory, the primary duties of the plague doctor were to treat the plague victims and bury the dead.
But many other tasks plague doctors performed, as they were responsible for counting the number of victims in public records books, and documenting the last wishes of their patients.
Perhaps the most frequently mentioned people of the medieval plague, is the mask of the beak doctor plague, which has become one of the most famous symbols of the Black Death.
The reason behind the beak plague masks was a misconception about the nature of the dangerous disease, which is that the infection spreads through the smelly air.
Because plague doctors were in contact with the victims of this deadly disease, they were at greater risk of infection than others, and therefore had to take the necessary precautions.
Before the seventeenth century, plague doctors wore various protective suits. It was only in 1619 that the "dress" became invented.
The man attributed to the invention of the "plague suit" is Charles de L'Ormy, chief physician of three French kings: Henry IV, Louis XIII and Louis XIV, and he was also at the service of the Italian Medici family, one of Florence's most famous families, who played the most important role In its economic, political and cultural history between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries.
The plague doctor wore a leather hat and was intended to indicate that the wearer was a doctor. Although the hat was performing a symbolic function, historians assumed it might have provided some protection by removing some bacteria.
The mask of a known plague doctor, which was in the shape of a bird, has a long beak. The beak was filled with materials with a strong and pleasant aroma, such as amber, mint or rose petals, and it was only equipped with two holes, one on each side near the nostrils.
Regarding the long leather coat, it extends from behind the plague doctor's mask to the bottom of the feet. The entire coat was covered with grease, thinking that the grease prevented body fluids from sticking to the cap.
Finally, the plague doctor carries a long wooden stick to examine his patient without touching him, and the doctor can also use this stick to indicate to his assistants or family members of the victim about how and where to transfer the patient or the deceased.
Comments