2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT
A medical physician of the Middle Ages who saw
those who had the bubonic plague. They were
specifically hired by towns that had many plague
victims in times of plague epidemics. Since the city
was paying their salary they treated everyone, the rich
and the poor. They were not normally professionally
trained experienced physicians or surgeons, and often
were second rate doctors not able to otherwise run a
successful medical business or young physicians just
out of school trying to get a medical business going.
They were not otherwise a general practitioner or
“family doctor”. Plague doctors by their covenant
treated only plague patients and were known as
municipal or “community plague doctors” , whereas
“general practitioners” were separate doctors and both
might be in the same European city or town at the
same time.
4. The beak they had was a filter for what they believed to be bad, infected air.
KEY FEATURES
Eye sockets were glass that were welded and stitches into
the mask. Much like a gas mask.
Straps that wrapped round the head and pinned
onto the front of the mask so there is no space
around the edge of the face
The plague mask was made with Moroccan leather
because it was hard wearing and thick. However I
could use faux leather as it would have the same
aesthetic effect.
