Plague doctor

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During the period of the Black Death and the Great Plague of London, plague doctors visited victims of the plague to verify whether they have been afflicted or not. They were mostly unqualified – most qualified doctors had left the city to avoid being afflicted.^{[citation needed]} Their outfit consisted of a hat to show that the man was a doctor, mask to protect the face with crystal eyes to protect the wearer's eyes and the beak stuffed with spices or herbs to purify the air that the doctor breathed, a wooden stick to push away victims who would get too close to him, leather gloves to protect the hands, a gown waxed from the exterior, and full length boots. It was believed at the time that the plague was spread through the air – not through the fleas living on the black rat. Therefore, they stuffed herbs and spices in their "beaks" or carried them somewhere. The waxed clothing may have helped prevent fleas latching on, and the clothing also prevented droplet infection.

It has been questioned how much this costume was actually worn; the greater part of doctors fled the cities in the early stages of the plague.