The Plague Doctors

in #history6 years ago (edited)

The Black Death

The Black Death, also known as the Great Plague, was one of the most devastating pandemics in the history of humanity, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 75 to 200 million people in Eurasia and peaking in Europe from 1347 to 1351. It is estimated to have killed 30–60% of Europe's total population!

So the 14th century was marked by really dark moments because of the plague. Entire villages were deserted when all its habitants died and of course the economy had collapsed and social chaos was present.

Paul_Fürst,_Der_Doctor_Schnabel_von_Rom_(coloured_version).png

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The Plague Doctor

In order to stop the pandemic, the villages hired doctors who treated those -both the poor and the rich- who were infected by the disease. In some cases where there were not enough doctors, people from other professions were hired as well to assist those who had the plague. They took care of the sick, got rid of the corpses and had a listing of the deaths caused by the plague.

The most famous plague doctor was Nostradamus, who had developed some very progressive methods for dealing with the disease. He didn't bleed his patients like other doctors did. Instead he suggested more effective hygiene and the removal of the infected corpses from the streets. He also created the "rose pill" made of rosehips which was rich in Vitamin C that relieved the patients with mild cases. His cure rate was impressive and it is said that keeping his patients clean, administering low-fat diets and providing some fresh air helped a lot.

The Plague Doctor Costume

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the plague doctors invented masks in order to prevent contagion and protect themselves from the "bad air". The protective suit consisted of a coarse waxed fabric overcoat,a blouse introduced in the pants, boots, a mask with glass eye openings and a beak shaped nose, typically stuffed with substances such as ambergris, mint leaves, myrrh, rose petals, camphor, cloves and straw. They also wore a hat and gloves. Everything was made in goat leather.

The plague doctors had another accessory, a wooden cane which they used to examine patients, so they could be more hands off. Some people believed that the Black Death was a punishment from God, and asked the doctors to whip them with the cane in order to compensate for their sins.

And this is me as a plague doctor...

Would you trust this cute face?

I bet you would since there were not many other options...

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Death
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_doctor

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Μπράβο Έλια πολύ καλό άρθρο :)))))))

Ευχαριστώ πολύ πολύ!!! :))))

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χαχαχχαααααα... τι σατανικό κρύβετε πίσω απο ην μάσκα; εσυ;;; χαχαχαχαααα :pppp

χαχαχ Ότι πιο σατανικό.. ΕΓΩ :PPP

Why did you pull out your eyebrows? :D

hahah I needed a change :PP

Where’s your all goat-leather attire??

My goat-leather suit got dirty with blood, so I put on my spare suit :P

I’m reading that as space suit. So just make sure you switch helmets before launching out of the atmosphere.

hahahah SURE!

noumeraki gia therapia apo pou pernoume ? xD

χαχαχα πρώτη πόρτα δεξιά :PP

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