Early-modern hazmat suit.⠀ ⠀ In the 17th and 18th century, during the epidemics of bubonic plague that swept western Europe, plague doctors (who exclusively treated the infected) took to wearing a distinctive outfit to protect them from the miasma, or “bad air”, then believed to carry disease. This fanciful-looking costume typically consisted of a head-to-toe leather or wax-canvas garment; large crystal glasses; and a long snout or bird beak, containing aromatic spices (such as camphor, mint, cloves, and myrrh), dried flowers (such as roses or carnations), or a vinegar sponge. The strong smells of these items — sometimes set aflame for added advantage — were meant to combat the contagious miasma that the costume itself could not protect against.⠀ ⠀ Plague doctors also carried, the scholar G. L. Townsend chronicles, a “wand with which to issue instructions”, such as ordering disease-stricken houses filled with spiders or toads “to absorb the air” and commanding the infected to inhale “bottled wind” or take urine baths, purgatives, or stimulants. These same wands were used to take a patient’s pulse, to remove his clothing, and also to ward off the infected when they came too close. (A potent tool for social distancing if ever there was one!)⠀ ⠀ In fact, however strange their get-up looks, it was not entirely useless. The ankle-length gown and herb-filled beak designed to fight off harmful miasmata would also have offered *some* protection against germs. (Most plague doctors did though, sadly, meet an early death.)⠀ ⠀ Very glad our medical professionals have better protective equipment available these days. (But please governments make sure they get what they need!)⠀ ⠀ More images of the distinctive plague costumes on our site — just click link in bio and scroll down. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #plague #plaguedoctor #beakmask #coronavirus #epidemic #disease #doctors #medicine #hazmat #ppe #mask #birdmask https://www.instagram.com/p/B-DUL3XJg0h/?igshid=ynzg49fp4do7
