The plague doctor costume is one of the most recognizable costumes of the Middle Ages, and is still in use as a Halloween costume. But why did doctors wear these outfits? Where did they come from? And who was the first to wear it?
Find out below.
History of the Plague Doctor Costume
The plague doctor’s mask is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Black Death. Though the image is iconic the relationship may be a little anachronistic. While plague doctors have been plying their trade since the Middle Ages, it was only after this period, during the 17th century, that they acquired their creepy trademark costume.
The costume, with its leather over-coat, wide-brimmed hat, and mask with glass eye-holes (originally with beak-like nose) and a fabric cane held in front of one’s face (to hold flowers or spices), was designed by Charles de Lorme. De Lorme recognized that physicians needed protection from being infected by their patients, but also wanted them to be recognizable. In 1619 he published a treatise recommending a protective suit for physicians treating plague victims. The suit was given to them when they went into a house where there were people infected with plague. It consisted
The Plague Doctor Costume is one of the most recognizable costumes of the middle ages, though it wasn’t worn by doctors. It has a beak-like mask filled with sweet or strong smelling substances (commonly lavender), and glass eye openings.
Why was it used?
The Black Death, caused by the bubonic plague, was a devastating pandemic that swept Europe in the 1300s killing millions. The plague doctor’s costume was the clothing worn by a special medical physician who treated those who had the plague.
What did they wear?
Plague doctors wore a mask with glass openings in the eyes and a cone nose shaped like a bird’s beak to hold flowers, herbs or spices (commonly lavender or roses) which were thought to protect them from being infected by disease. In Italy they also wore long cloaks made of waxed fabric.
The plague doctor costume is one of the most recognizable medieval outfits. Although it did not appear until around 1619, it has been a symbol of medicine and doctors in general ever since. What is the significance of the plague doctor costume? Why did the doctors wear masks that looked like birds?
The plague doctor mask is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Black Death. The image of a man wearing this bird-like mask, with its long beak filled with sweet-smelling substances, has been associated with death and pestilence for centuries. And although this type of mask was only used during outbreaks of plague in Europe for about 200 years, it has become a popular icon for Halloween celebrations and other events.
The plague doctor costume is one of the most recognizable costumes of the Middle Ages, though it was only worn by those who treated plague victims. The costume consisted of an ankle length overcoat and a bird-like beak mask, often filled with sweet or strong smelling substances.
The clothing worn by plague doctors was intended to protect them from airborne diseases. This was especially important due to the widespread belief that the plague was airborne. Their costumes were inspired by the clothing worn by Charles de Lorme in 1619 while treating victims of an epidemic.
The beak mask had glass openings for the eyes and a curved beak shaped like a bird’s beak with straps that held the beak in front of the doctor’s nose. Straw or fabric soaked in ammonia, vinegar, or similar strong-smelling substances was placed inside the beak to keep away bad smells, which were thought to be the principal cause of infection!
The “beak” masks were also filled with aromatic items such as dried flowers (including roses and carnations), herbs (including lavender and peppermint), spices, camphor, or a vinegar sponge. The purpose of the mask was to keep away bad smells, known as miasma, which were thought to be the principal cause
Medical theory at the time held that disease was spread by breathing in poisoned air. This led to the development of a mask which was worn by doctors in order to protect them from dangerous air, as well as to prevent them from infecting their patients. The mask had a long beak shaped nose and glass openings in the eye area. The beak shape allowed for the addition of various scented herbs and flowers which were thought to purify the air. In some cases the mask also contained additional mouth protection or an herb filled sponge to place over the nose and mouth for added protection. The final result was a rather eerie looking face-covering with a pointed beak and round eyeholes. Most masks also had a small cane or wooden stick which came out of the mouth area, though its use is not clear.
Doctors donned this costume in response to an outbreak of plague in 17th century Europe, in particular, France and Italy. The costume consisted of a full length cloak or robe with a large hat, gloves and boots. The plague doctor’s clothing served two purposes: it protected him from airborne diseases while he treated his patients, while simultaneously protecting his patients from any germs he might carry on his clothing.
The plague doctor costume seen today is actually based
The iconic beaked mask and long black coat of the plague doctor is a familiar image throughout history, especially in times of plague and pestilence. The image brings to mind the bubonic plague, or Black Death, which ravaged Europe in the 14th century and killed as many as 200 million people.
So why did Medieval doctors wear these costumes? What did they really look like? What was their purpose? And what’s with that creepy bird mask?
Plague doctors were dedicated to helping those sickened by this terrible disease; but they were also doing their best to protect themselves from becoming patients themselves. There were two main reasons for wearing these costumes.
The first reason was purely practical. The long beak of the mask held aromatic items such as lavender, ambergris (a waxy substance from sperm whales), camphor, cloves, rose petals and mint soaked in vinegar. These scents weren’t just chosen at random; they were believed to help purify the air and protect doctors from the miasma (bad air) believed to spread disease.
The second reason was that clothing might help protect against disease. Doctors wore waxed coats over their clothing as another layer of protection against infection. They also wore leather boots that reached
There are plenty of bizarre costumes in the history of medicine, but none more so than the beaked garb of the 17th-century plague doctor.
The puzzling outfit consisted of a bird-like mask, typically with glass eye openings and a beak shaped nose. The long beak would be filled with sweet or strong smelling substances (including dried flowers, herbs and spices) thought to counter the smell of the plague and make breathing easier. Beneath this, they wore a heavy waxed overcoat, gloves and boots – all made from leather – to protect them from infection.
The costume was invented by Charles de Lorme, who made the outfit for himself in 1619 when he was appointed physician to King Louis XIII. He designed it based on an earlier garment worn by medieval monks who cared for victims during times of pestilence and plague.