Why plague doctors wore beaked masks

Explore the history of the European plague doctor, and find out where their iconic outfit of a beaked mask and robe came from.

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The year is 1656. Your body is wracked by violent chills. Your head pounds and you're too weak to sit up. In your feverish state, you see a strange-looking man wearing a beak-like mask, his body covered from head to toe. Without seeing his face, you know: you have the plague. So, where did these iconic outfits come from? Stephanie Honchell Smith explores the history of plague doctors.

Directed by Anton Bogaty.

This video made possible in collaboration with Gates Ventures

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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Chin Beng Tan, Tom Boman, Karen Warner, Iryna Panasiuk, Aaron Torres, Eric Braun, Sonja Worzewski, Michael Clement, Adam Berry, Ghaith Tarawneh, Nathan Milford, Tomas Beckett, Alice Ice, Eric Berman, Kurt Paolo Sevillano, Jennifer Heald, Megulo Abebe, isolwi, Kate Sem, Ujjwal Dasu, Angel Alberici, Minh Quan Dinh, Sylvain, Terran Gimpel, Talia Sari, Katie McDowell, Allen, Mahina Knuckles, Charmaine Hanson, Thawsitt, Jezabel, Abdullah Abdulaziz, Xiao Yu, Melissa Suarez, Brian A. Dunn, Francisco Amaya, Daisuke Goto, Matt Switzler, Peng, Tzu-Hsiang, Bethany Connor, Jeremy Shimanek, Mark Byers, Avinash Amarnath, Xuebicoco, Rayo, Po Foon Kwong, Boffin, Jesse Jurman, Scott Markley and Elija Peterson.

[Brydav_Massbear]

What I love so much about the Plague Doctors is that they are the perfect example of how sometimes just because something is dark and creepy, doesn't necessarily mean they are bad.

[CCLLRRKK]

I have exam tomorrow but this is more important

[sketchyskies]

I would be terrified if I saw a man in a crow mask while having a fever

[rikachiu]

I can't help but contrast this to our recent pandemic. It's insane how people take what we have today for granted.

[outtomyol]

My students often want to write on plague doctors for my medieval courses not knowing that they were an early modern phenomena. This is a great resource for setting that timeline straight. Thanks!

[crweewrc]

THIS is why I love Ted- ed.
They always try to answer such interesting questions!

[NOOBCRASTINATOR]

Thank you to all the doctors for sacrificing their comfort for people like us. Its not about money it's about their compassion humanity and hard work💕

Edit: anything anyone does is about the money. But lemme tell u money doesn't have the power to generate that kind of dedication and sympathy to save a human life, money is something but not everything.

There's surgeons in OT for straight up 48 to 72hrs trying to make someone's life better..this amount of effort is priceless, no money can repay them..

[johnnyle]

A lot of the stuff that they put in the beak actually made sense. Cinnamon and pepper will cause you to produce more mucus while copper is anti microbial

[vanniedahilig]

It’s ironic that in probably 50yrs from now the recent pandemic would be talked about like this. And yet we’ve lived through it. Even experienced it

[Sllee]

I love the finishing touches to honor the brave and noble healthcare professionals, both modern and in ancient times.

[mohammedsaquibkhan]

"Some things never change" is such a beautiful phrase in this case😍😇

Inspiring future physicians.

[B_HNST]

Can we just appreciate ted ed for always giving up facts and pieces of knowledge weekly or monthly

[lrvdo]

Thanks doctors, scientists, engineers for not giving up.

[jacka]

They are stylish and intimidating. Why do you think no one stops Bob the Necromancer from doing his unboxings

[puncifikator]

the copper in the beak is actually smart. pure copper metal kills bacteria and viruses so it would theoretically work though obviously it would also pose a health risk to the user

[dezzydayy]

I feel like we needed this during the early stages of covid.

Great job overall.

[jessicajayes]

I remember when beaked masks became fashionable during the pandemic. I made some cute masks but they weren't like that. I was very careful and got vaccinated as soon as I could. When I did get sick, I donned my masks again and didn't make direct contact with anyone for 8 days. Nobody got sick from me!

[Guru_]

Surprised that they weren't more widespread actually. I wonder which physician came up with the idea for the garb and beak combo first.

[NoSuffix]

Interesting! I used to think that those figures were the symbol of death during plagues. Turns out close enough considering < 40% survival rate.

[the-idvo]

this is would be the most terrifying thing to see while sick