The plague repeatedly mowed down medieval Europe, taking the lives of millions of people. The first confirmed epidemic of bubonic plague in history - Justinian's plague, which lasted from 541-750. It killed between a quarter and a half of the human population in the then known world, or about 50 million people.
The plague epidemic continued from the 15th to the 19th century. Over 100 plague epidemics were recorded in Europe during that period. The disease killed an estimated 200 million people during that time.
As always in times of crisis, people turned to the church and doctors. Ironically, the latter increased people's fears, wandering the streets in long black coats and eerie bird-like masks with long beaks.
Although it seems unusual, every part of the mask had a function. The protective suit dates from the 17th century and was allegedly designed by Dr. Charles De Lormea, a physician to several French kings and a favorite physician of the Medici family.
Charles de Lorme, Delorme, d'lorm, or De l'Orme (1584 - 24 June 1678), was a French medical doctor who practiced in several regions across Europe during the 17th century. Charles was the son of Jean Delorme (a professor at Montpellier University), who was the primary doctor to Marie de 'Medici. This ultimately opened doors for Charles' medical career soon after he graduated from the University of Montpellier in 1607 at the age of 23. He first came to Paris after graduation to practice medicine under the watchful eye of his father, until he was ready to practice as a regular doctor on his own. There are no records of his marriages, except that he married for the third time at the age of 78. This wife died within a year.
Charles was the personal physician to several members of the royal family of the House of Medici from 1610 to 1650. He was the main doctor to Louis the Just after his father retired and additionally became the primary physician to the king's brother Gaston, Duke of Orléans starting in 1629.
Charles was the chief physician of three French kings, Henry IV, Louis XIII and Louis XIV. He was very reputable in his profession as a doctor. He acquired the friendship of Cardinal Richelieu and Chancellor Pierre Séguier, who granted him a pension.
In order to protect himself from a vicious disease in the treatment of highly contagious plague patients, he designed a costume that consisted of a coat long to the ankles and a mask with a bird's beak, gloves, a hat with a brim and boots. A wooden stick was often used to examine the patient without touching. Everything was usually covered with wax.
The costumes were first used in Paris, but later spread throughout Europe.
The bird's beak was the most important!
The mask had glass openings for the eyes and a rounded beak like a bird's. This was no accident!
The beak was hollow inside and in practice filled with sweet or strong fragrant substances - amber, lemon balm, mint, camphor, clove, opium tincture.
Namely, the unpleasant odor that spread around the patient was also considered a carrier of the plague, and doctors believed that strong perfumes could prevent infection. The plants housed in the beak of the mask acted as a filter that, they believed, purified the air before doctors inhaled it.
Error
Plague, pestis, bubonic plague, or "black death" is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis transmitted by fleas, from rodents to humans. The disease can also be spread by contact with contaminated fluid or tissue as well as sneezing and coughing from infected people.
So, the plague is not transmitted by air, which the doctors at the time did not know and in fact they could do little to help the sick.
That is why, until the advent of modern antibiotics and the discovery of bacteria, the plague was so deadly.
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Great one