One would imagine an image of the Plague Doctor when the Black Death is named. The Plague doctor's suit costume contained a cloak, tucked under the masculine neck and stretched to the floor to hide as much of the body as possible. Doctors often spread all clothing with fat or wax, believing that this reduces the chance of infection from sick victims. Wax served protection against the disease by airborne droplets, as well as fleas, the main visitors of the disease.
At that time, it seemed to many that the plague spread, because of spoiled air. Doctors assumed that a mask in the form of a bird would repel the infection from the sick person and bring it to the doctor's clothes and considered that the eye mask of red glass made the doctor free from the disease.
The beak of the mask was filled with fragrant medicinal herbs to protect it from miasma and from the stinky smell, which also could carry the plague.
They carried a cane for examining patients without touching them, as well as for self-defence, against the jaded. Also, on the neck were a casket for aromatic herbs and substances that were supposed to scare off the plague.
Plague Doctors used a scalpel for opening the buboes and wore leather gloves to protect themselves. In those days, a wide hat identified someone as a doctor.
