plague doctor
During the Black Plague in the 14th Century, physicians wore a predecessor of the modern Hazmat Suit: A waxed, ankle-length leather coat, a mask resembling the head of a bird, and a short, wide-brimmed hat (or a hood). The beak of the mask was filled with posies, which was believed to filter out "Miasma" (the literal stink of disease, which was erroneously thought to be the vector of infection). The overall effect…
