Plague Doctor

A doctor, known more precisely as a physician, is a health care provider who practices the field of medicine. Historically, they could often be found on the streets of many European cities.

The clothing of doctors was standard throughout those in their profession, particularly after the occurrence of the Black Death, one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. This plague peaked in Europe during the 14th century, and was said to have killed 30–60% percent of Europe's population. Subsequent to it, the world's overall population dropped from an estimated 450 million to between 350 and 375 million at the start of the 15th century.

Subject ID: 64624

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A doctor, known more precisely as a physician, is a health care provider who practices the field of medicine. Historically, they could often be found on the streets of many European cities.

The clothing of doctors was standard throughout those in their profession, particularly after the occurrence of the Black Death, one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. This plague peaked in Europe during the 14th century, and was said to have killed 30–60% percent of Europe's population. Subsequent to it, the world's overall population dropped from an estimated 450 million to between 350 and 375 million at the start of the 15th century.

To protect themselves from this pandemic, doctors dressed in a long black cloak covered with a coating of wax, along with a very primitive beak-shaped plague mask, although not all doctors chose to wear it. Within this Medico Della Peste mask, there were usually flower petals, burning incense or aromatic herbs to rid of bad smells, since it was believed that disease was transmitted through "bad air". The eyes of the mask were also made out of glass, as it was believed that sicknesses could be caught through face-to-face contact with patients, or by touching infected objects.

The specific mask that doctors wore during the Renaissance period was called the Maschera Dello Speziale, where speziale referred to someone who sold every kind of medicinal herb. This mask was also occasionally worn by civilians during Venice's Carnevale.

Subject ID: 64624

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