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Description
Costume Design Concept for "Il Doctore Peste", or, the Plague Doctor archetype from the Commedia Del'Arte.

Originally the Plague Doctor evolved from the elaborate masks worn by physicians during the Black Plague, who would use a rod to poke at the swollen lymph nodes that show up on victims.

The long beak was often packed with flowers and herbs, which were thought to protect against the sickness which travelled in "foul air". Clearly, it was the fleas off of the millions of rats that were doing the deed, but I'm sure that it helped a little against the stench of death everywhere.

Effectively, it was the first gas mask.

This guy is a mishmash of periods designed for a "decayed gentleman" look, rather than period accuracy.

Description
Costume Design Concept for "Il Doctore Peste", or, the Plague Doctor archetype from the Commedia Del'Arte.

Originally the Plague Doctor evolved from the elaborate masks worn by physicians during the Black Plague, who would use a rod to poke at the swollen lymph nodes that show up on victims.

The long beak was often packed with flowers and herbs, which were thought to protect against the sickness which travelled in "foul air". Clearly, it was the fleas off of the millions of rats that were doing the deed, but I'm sure that it helped a little against the stench of death everywhere.

Effectively, it was the first gas mask.

This guy is a mishmash of periods designed for a "decayed gentleman" look, rather than period accuracy.