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Medieval doctor dressed to treat a plague victim

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86461

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It was believed the plague was spread by noxious fumes and smells absorbed through the skin. Therefore doctors would wear hoods/masks with sweet smelling herbs such as Angelica in the long 'beak' part of the hood. They also covered themselves head to foot in robes. This did help but not for the reasons they thought. The long protective clothing (which was removed afterwar visits) prevented them being bitten so often by the fleas that transmitted the plague from rats to humans.

Picture by Anna Fenn 2008

Added:
5th Aug 2008 by Diane Earl

Subjects:
History

Key Stages:
Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 4+