The Emergence of the Plague Doctor

During the bubonic plague outbreaks in Elizabethan England, the role of the “plague doctor” emerged. These were physicians who were tasked with treating those who had contracted the disease, but also with trying to prevent its spread. However, it is important to note that the term “plague doctor” was not commonly used during the Elizabethan era, and the practitioners who fulfilled this role were often referred to as “pestilence doctors” or “searchers.”

Plague doctors wore distinctive outfits that included a long, black coat made of waxed fabric or leather, gloves, and a wide-brimmed hat. They also wore a mask with a beak-like protrusion that was filled with herbs, spices, and other aromatic substances, such as dried flowers, vinegar, or even a sponge soaked in vinegar. The mask was designed to protect the doctor from the foul-smelling air that was thought to carry the disease.

The plague doctors were often seen carrying a staff, which was used to examine patients without touching them directly, as physical contact was thought to increase the risk of contracting the disease. The staff was also used to point out areas that needed to be disinfected or to lift clothing or bedding without touching them.

The role of the plague doctor was not just to treat the sick, but also to try to prevent the spread of the disease. They were responsible for identifying and isolating those who had been infected, as well as disposing of the bodies of those who had died from the disease. They would often be accompanied by “body collectors” who would help them remove the dead from homes and streets.

Despite their efforts, the plague doctors were not always successful in preventing the spread of the disease, and many of them also succumbed to the illness themselves. Nevertheless, their work was important in the fight against the bubonic plague, and they played a significant role in the medical history of Elizabethan England.

It’s worth noting that the effectiveness of the plague doctors’ methods has been questioned by modern medical experts, who argue that the herbs and spices in the masks would not have been effective in preventing the spread of the disease. However, it is clear that the plague doctors were doing their best to help their patients in a time of great uncertainty and danger.

We won’t have any plague at the Renaissance Festival, but we do have a plague doctor, who will happily cure what ales you. Results are not guaranteed.