In 17th-century Europe, the Black Death ravaged and claimed millions of lives. People seek hope for life in panic and helplessness, and those plague doctors dressed in fancy clothes have become the most special existence in that dark age. Their image is unique, wearing a long-beaked mask like a bird and a heavy robe, which makes a deep impression. But are you curious, where did such a costume come from, and why did the plague doctor in the 17th century dress like a bird?
The Plague Doctor's costume design is rooted in an ancient understanding of disease. At the time, it was widely believed that the plague was spread by foul-smelling air, which was called "miasma". To prevent themselves from being infected, the plague doctor wears a special costume. At the heart of the outfit is a beak-like mask that is said to filter harmful substances from the air.
The long beak of the mask is usually filled with substances such as herbs, dried flowers, vinegar, etc. These substances are believed to purify the air and block the invasion of diseases. This design reflects the medical knowledge of the time and the understanding of environmental factors. However, the true mode of transmission of the plague, Yersinia pestis, was still unknown at the time.
In addition to the bizarre mask, the Plague Doctor's outfit also includes a robe that covers the entire body. The gown is usually made of a thick cloth treated with wax and is designed to isolate the patient's bodily fluids. They also wear leather gloves, hats, and boots that cover their entire body. Such a costume, although it looked terrible, was the way doctors at that time protected themselves.
Due to the backwardness of medical knowledge, doctors at that time lacked effective treatment methods. They often relied on superstition and hearsay, and even resorted to harmful methods such as bloodletting, enema, etc., to treat the plague. The costume of the plague doctor thus reflects the ignorance and despair of an era.
Over time, the Plague Doctor's costume became an iconic symbol of European culture. Not only did it bear witness to the limitations of medicine in an era, but it also became a common element in art and literature. In some festivals, people even wear such costumes to commemorate the history of that suffering.
The plague doctor's costume became not only a cultural symbol of Europe, but also a strong link to the Black Death. The plague, also known as the Black Death, was one of the deadliest epidemics in human history. The Black Death was widespread on the European continent in the 17th century, with a devastating population and a huge socio-economic impact.
The cause of the outbreak was Yersinia pestis, which was transmitted to humans by fleas. The mortality rate caused by this bacterium is extremely high, and patients often die within days of infection. And people's fear of the epidemic at that time can be imagined.
Charles Delîme was a French physician who designed the standard attire of the plague doctor in 1619. He believed that such clothing was effective in preventing the spread of the plague, but in reality, it did not actually control the spread of the plague. The image of the Plague Doctor, as well as Delome's design, have become a footnote to a piece of history.
It is worth mentioning that the role of the plague doctor is not limited to treating patients. They are also responsible for autopsies to determine if the cause of death is the plague and to serve as legal witnesses to record the number of deaths. They played an important role in the society at that time, not only as medical workers, but also as documentaries of the epidemic.
The image of the plague doctors is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and their strange outfits have become a symbol of the fear of disease in human history. Although the actual protective effect of clothing is limited, it reflects the helplessness and struggle of human beings in the face of unknown diseases, and the desire to seek hope in the midst of despair. This image still inspires people to think about the development of medicine and remember the history to this day.