Buzz
Thanks to their iconic masks, plague doctors have remained a symbol of fear for centuries. Depicted in countless forms of art—from paintings to video games—these bird-like figures have never truly faded from public memory.
If Mytour had to choose a single emblem to represent it, the plague mask would likely be it. We've mentioned it countless times (not literally—but it does feel that way) across various lists, and it even serves as the cherished avatar of at least one of our loyal commenters (you know who you are, Wyrmwood13!).
Despite their fame—or perhaps because of it—plague doctors are often misunderstood. Below, we'll set the record straight by distinguishing fact from fiction, in a refreshingly non-US-centric list for once.
8. The Black Death
While plague doctors are closely linked with the Black Death, no doctors actually wore beak masks during that period. The 'Black Death' refers to the devastating pandemic that claimed up to 200 million lives between 1346 and 1353. Since then, scientists have been working to identify the exact disease, with bubonic plague being the most widely accepted culprit.
Plague doctors and their iconic attire didn’t appear until 1619. The costume was designed by Dr. Charles de Lorme. However, it wasn't until decades later, during the plague of 1656, that it became more commonly used.
The likely reason these costumes became linked to the Black Death is the widespread belief that bubonic plague was the cause. However, recent years have seen this theory come under scrutiny. To learn more about the factors that made the Black Death so deadly, check out 10 Factors That Made The Black Death So Deadly.
7. The Look
These outfits may not have been worn during the Black Death itself, but they did appear at a later time. So the pressing question remains: Why were they created?
In essence, this marked humanity's initial attempt at a protective suit. The full-length coat was made from waxed leather, designed to be completely sealed off. It covered a shirt, breeches, and boots.
The wide-brimmed hats worn by the doctors were meant to clearly indicate their profession (in case the rest of the outfit wasn't enough), and their canes helped examine patients without physical contact. These canes were also used to communicate with their assistants and keep emotional family members at a distance.
However, the most striking feature of the outfit was the long beaked mask, which actually had a practical reason. Keep in mind, this design came before doctors realized the importance of hand washing. At that time, people were still figuring out how diseases spread.
It was believed that “poisoned air” (or “miasma”) was the source of the plague, which led to the creation of the masks. Filled with aromatic herbs and spices, the mask was meant to mask or neutralize the miasma, thus safeguarding the doctor.
6. The Smoldering Appearance
Though patients undoubtedly had a difficult time during the plague, their doctors were not much better off. Along with the constant threat of catching the disease and the social stigma, wearing the uniform itself was an uncomfortable ordeal.
Anyone who has ever worn a mask for Halloween knows the discomfort and irritation that sets in after a few hours. The design of these plague masks made communication nearly impossible, adding to the isolation already inherent in the profession.
However, for a select group of French doctors, the nuisance of talking or spitting may have seemed trivial compared to the flames in their masks. Building on the miasma theory, some French plague doctors set the herbs inside their masks on fire, hoping the smoke would purify the foul air.
Unsurprisingly, the fire method never gained widespread use. But if you find that odd, you should check out 10 Utterly Creepy Historical Masks.
5. Treated Everyone
Considering how contagious the plague was, requiring specialized equipment for doctors, and the general disregard for the poor, one might think that plague doctors only treated the wealthy. But that wasn’t the case. The poor may have lacked the means to pay for treatment, but the plague spread so quickly that even the wealthy couldn’t afford to let the poor fall victim to it.
As a result, plague doctors were hired and paid by local councils to treat everyone in hopes of eradicating the disease village by village. However, that didn’t prevent the doctors from charging patients as well.
Although the role was well-paid, it was typically filled by one of three groups: novice doctors, those struggling with private practices, or volunteers without training but eager to give it a try.
In many instances, towns offered extra perks such as free housing, expense reimbursements, and pensions. As a result, plague doctors who were technically offering free services ended up with quite lucrative careers.
Of course, modern doctors also earn considerable salaries. While they can be a lifesaver when you're ill, you might be shocked to learn about the Top 10 Disturbing Facts About Doctors.
4. Treatment Alternatives
The community of plague doctors mainly consisted of rejected physicians and untrained individuals, at a time when even the most skilled medical professionals were largely clueless. As a result, many of their treatments were... well, pretty dreadful.
The poor who were infected became little more than guinea pigs as plague doctors grew increasingly desperate and inventive with their treatments. But none of these methods proved effective in the end.
Bloodletting (the practice of draining blood to remove ‘bad’ humors) was a consistent favorite. People also believed that ingesting things like applesauce, mustard, or mint sauce could help. Aromatic scents were also thought to purify the air.
Alternatively, food items like onions, herbs, pigeons, or snakes were chopped up and rubbed onto patients. In some cases, arsenic and mercury were fed to the sick. Mercury was even applied to the body before patients were boiled in an oven, although this was often a last-ditch effort (whether it was intended to be or not!).
On top of that, there was always the option of smothering patients in their own waste or tossing them into the sewer overnight if they didn’t produce enough. Click here to learn about the 10 Secrets Of Ancient Feces.
3. Missing Doctors
Plague doctors were typically well-educated, well-compensated, well-liked, prominent, and well-connected. Even if they were not the best at their craft, many came from affluent backgrounds. They treated the political elite and the upper classes and participated in legal matters. Clearly, these doctors were important figures, which makes it all the more strange that some of them mysteriously disappeared.
Though historical records from centuries ago will always have some gaps, these usually pertain to the lower class. Wealthier individuals, however, had extensive documentation, including records in banks, land registries, and courts.
Plague doctors were well-documented and closely monitored to ensure they adhered to their isolation rules. Even so, there were instances where they simply vanished.
Some were kidnapped for ransom, though they were often quickly released. Others just disappeared without a trace. They could have fled, succumbed to the plague, or been abducted to treat people in another town. It was likely a combination of all three reasons.
We'll never know for certain what became of them. For more chilling tales of missing individuals, check out 10 Eerie Last Words Of People Who Then Vanished Without A Trace. And if you have your own theory about the fate of the missing plague doctors, feel free to share it in the comments.
2. Pariahs
Doctors have long been esteemed in societies around the globe, often regarded as some of the most educated individuals who can ease pain and save lives. This reputation typically makes them well-liked. However, for plague doctors, the story was quite different.
They spent so much time treating the infected—often falling ill themselves—that the public began to avoid socializing with them. While working, plague doctors were forbidden from interacting with the general population. Additionally, they had to undergo lengthy self-quarantine periods after completing their duties.
Even after fulfilling their quarantine, they were still largely shunned. Plague doctors roamed the streets of the villages they had helped or relocated in search of a fresh start. For more intriguing details about medieval outcasts, explore the Top 10 Medieval Outcasts.
1. Data Gathering
In today's world, everyone understands that data speaks volumes. Whether it's influencing a political election or controlling the spread of a virus, data is crucial to success. Remarkably, governments in the 17th century also recognized the significance of data, as it was a key element of a plague doctor's duties.
The kind of data they gathered is easy to imagine: suspected and confirmed cases, deaths, recoveries, and more. This information allowed plague doctors to begin eliminating ineffective treatments, though they never truly discovered methods that worked.
Although uncommon at the time, they also conducted autopsies to understand how the disease affected the body. Given their proximity to patients during their final moments, plague doctors were also tasked with documenting wills and offering testimony in court when necessary. Naturally, they were amateurs by modern data-collection standards. For some chilling insights, read 10 Ways We Are Being Watched, Monitored And Spied On.
