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The Haunting History Of Plague Doctors And Their Beaked Masks

The Bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death, ravaged Europe for centuries, claiming millions of lives. Believing the plague spread through miasma, or bad air, doctors wore elaborate costumes with beak-like masks filled with aromatic substances to protect themselves.

Also called 'Black Death' and 'Pestilence' and 'Great Mortality', the Bubonic plague which recurred in Europe for centuries, has wiped out hundreds of millions of people. The victims suffered with painful swollen lymph nodes, blackened skin, weakness, fever and other symptoms. However, before the germ disease theory was developed, most people believed that the plague spread through noxious air, or miasma, that emanated from rotting organic matter. This theory known as the miasma theory was widely accepted in Europe and China. IF that were the case, how did the medics ensure that they don't catch the disease, while tending to their patients?The misconception about the disease gave birth to an elaborate garb which doctors used to wear to protect themselves. The physicians used to cover themselves from head to toe and covered half of their face with a beak shaped mask. While several names are suggested for the invention of the mask, Charles de Lorme is frequently credited. Charles was a royal medic and catered to royals like King Louis XIII and Gaston d'Orléans, son of Marie de Médici. His outfit included- a coat coated in scented wax, breeches attached to boots, a tucked-in shirt, and accessories like gloves and a hat made from goat leather. They also carried a staff or a rod with them, so as to avoid any unnecessary interaction with the patient or the surroundings.However the most distinctive part of the outfit was the headgear. Plague doctors wore spectacles and a mask with a beak-like nose extending about six inches, filled with aromatic substances. As per several accounts, the beak had two small holes near the nostrils, which allowed the doctor to breathe while filtering the air through the herbs inside, supposedly protecting them from "bad air" or miasma that was thought to carry the disease. The doctors filled their masks with theriac- a compound made up of more than 55 herbs and other components like viper flesh powder, cinnamon, myrrh, and honey. They believed that plague spread through poisoned air could disturb a person's humors, or bodily fluids. Sweet and strong perfumes were thought to disinfect plague-infested areas and protect those who smelled them. Nosegays, incense, and various perfumes were widely used at the time.After the development of science, it was found that the elaborate costume and non- conventional cures didn't really work. The bubonic plague was found to be caused by the bite of an infected flea or by handling of an infected animal. It can spread from person to person through infectious droplets in the air. It can be transmitted when an infected person or animal coughs or sneezes.

Coronavirus: Hellesdon Plague Doctor Given Advice By Police

The sight of the individual out walking in a plague doctor outfit provoked mixed reactions

A person who was "terrifying kids" by walking around a village dressed as a 17th Century plague doctor has been identified by police.

The individual, dressed in a black cloak, hat and pointed beak-like mask, had been both frightening and amusing residents of Hellesdon, near Norwich.

However, police said they would like to find him as concerns had been raised.

Officers have now identified the plague doctor as a boy in his late teens and given him "words of advice".

Doctors treating those with the Black Death believed the bird-like mask acted as a filter against the disease.

The person had been seen in a number of locations taking his exercise

Plague doctors believed the beak-like masks filled with perfume and herbs protected them

However, the sight of the black-clad stranger walking around the village provoked numerous reactions on social media.

Some said it was "terrifying for kids" while others said it was harmless, not illegal and made them "giggle".

Last week, Norfolk Police said it was aware of concerns about the person "wearing a plague outfit".

The force said a local neighbourhood team had now "identified the individual as a boy in his late teens".

"The individual has been spoken to about the consequences of his actions and the effects they may have on some people in the local community," a spokeswoman said.

"He was given words of advice as a result."

Walker's plague doctor outfit 'terrifying kids'

Artist in plague doctors exhibit

Coronavirus: Hellesdon Walker's Plague Doctor Outfit 'terrifying Kids'

The sight of the individual out walking in a plague doctor outfit has provoked mixed reactions

Police have said they are keen to trace a person who has been walking around a village dressed as a 17th Century plague doctor.

Residents of Hellesdon, near Norwich, have been both "terrified" and amused by the individual dressed in a black cloak, hat, and pointed beak-like mask.

Doctors treating those with the Black Death believed the mask acted as a filter against the disease.

Police said they would like to give the individual some "words of advice".

It is thought the person has been dressing this way for about two weeks for their daily walk, with a photograph posted on a village social media page attracting many different points of view.

Plague doctors in the 17th Century believed the beak-like masks filled with perfume and herbs protected them

One person wrote: "Scared the life out of my missus. Terrifying for kids."

Another agreed: "Just casually... Strolling around the village in a plague costume? That's just not normal is it, do it indoors it's bloody terrifying for poor little kids."

However, others came to the individual's defence, saying: "I admit he is weird but what harm is he doing... Made me giggle."

Another pointed out: "It's not illegal and if he can't wear it now, when could he?"

Danny Buck, a historian at the University of East Anglia, who spotted the picture, said: "It's quite a smart-looking costume and it's important people realise that in the 17th Century plague doctors were the brave ones who went out to see people with the disease."

Norfolk Police said officers were aware of concerns raised about "an individual who was seen walking around the Hellesdon area wearing a plague outfit".

They said no offence had been committed, but officers were "keen to trace the individual in order to provide words of advice about the implications of his actions on the local community".

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