DARK HISTORY: Plague Doctors

Deven stuffs his mask with flowers and herbs and gets down the dirty business of tending to the ill in the pre-industrial era of Europe.

What makes the plague doctor stand out in history is their distinct appearance and the eerie feeling they evoke. Clad in dark robes and a mask with a long beak, they look more like mythical creatures or figures from nightmares than doctors. Despite their abstract nature, these figures represented a harsh reality, playing a role during Europe’s most devastating disease outbreaks.

Plague doctors were a common sight during outbreaks of bubonic plague, especially between the 14th and 17th centuries. Cities used them to tend to the sick, document deaths, and sometimes to act as witnesses when others were hesitant. Despite good pay, the position came with a tacit understanding that survival was not guaranteed.

The unusual mask, featuring a beak, served a practical purpose. This design stemmed from the era’s dominant medical theory, which blamed sickness on “miasma,” or unhealthy and impure air. Fragrant herbs, flowers, spices, or vinegar-soaked items were placed in the beak to purify the air before it was inhaled by the doctor. The other clothing items were designed with the same concept in mind. Robes crafted from waxed leather offered protection against bodily fluids, gloves safeguarded the hands, and a wide-brimmed hat identified the individual as a medical practitioner. The wooden cane carried by some doctors was intended not for support but to examine patients without direct contact.

Charles de Lorme, a French physician serving European royalty, is often credited with the design. The clothing provided little protection against fleas, which were the actual carriers of the plague. However, it offered a basic shield against direct contact and could have possibly reduced exposure to bodily fluids. This unexpectedly foreshadowed elements of contemporary personal protective equipment.

Despite their ominous appearance, plague doctors occupied an uneasy moral space. Several of them were committed to healing, even when facing insurmountable challenges. The memory of many was tinged with suspicion or fear, due to the frequent failure of their treatments.

The plague doctor has now surpassed the pandemics that led to its existence. The beaked mask is present in art, festivals, and horror, representing humanity’s enduring effort to comprehend illness. Once a symbol of desperate hope, it now underscores the blurry distinction between medical reality and mythical thinking when fear prevails.

Deven VanKirk was raised in the Midwest and has lived all over the eastern half of the US. He’s been a horror fan for as long as he can remember. He enjoys hiking and camping, when he’s not reading or writing. Currently he resides in Florida with his wife, son, and two dogs.

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