Do you remember the COVID!? Of course as a doctor we remember the ASTRONAUT ensemble! The mask and the PPE!
There was another costume which was famous and used for a similar purpose!
The Beak Mask costume!
In the famous game called the Assassins creed; the doctor is often shown in this costume!
When you dissect the costume then you would realise that it had lot of similarities to the COVID doctor ensemble!
The get up or costume was also called the plague doctor costume!
The plague doctor costume, famously associated with 17th-century European epidemics, was an early form of personal protective equipment designed to protect physicians from “bad air” or miasma.
The Core Components of a Traditional Costume with a historically accurate plague doctor ensemble typically includes the following items:
The Beak Mask: The most iconic piece, featuring glass eye openings and a long beak. Historically, this beak was stuffed with aromatic herbs and spices like lavender, mint, cloves, and rose petals to filter out foul smells!
The smell taken with the most caution was known as ‘miasma’, a noxious form of “bad air.” This was thought to be the principal cause of the disease. Doctors believed the herbs would counter the “evil” smells of the plague and prevent them from becoming infected.
Then you have the Waxed Gown or Robe which is a long coat made of heavy fabric (like linen) or leather, often coated in wax or animal fat to prevent bodily fluids or “miasma” from reaching the skin.
Then you have the Wide-Brimmed Hat which is typically made of leather, identifying the wearer as a medical professional!
Then you have the Leather Gloves and Boots which are Essential for preventing direct physical contact with infected patients!
The garments covered the body, shielding against splattered blood, lymph, and cough droplets, and the waxed robe prevented fleas (the true carriers of the plague) from touching the body or clinging to the linen!
Finally you have the Wooden Cane or Stick which was used by doctors to examine patients, take pulses, or remove clothing without having to touch them!
So these doctors used to PROTECT themselves with armour and even a stick! With all the events happening; do we also need similar protection!
Hopefully not!
Then again no need to take any chance!
Everytime Pullattuparam Brahmadathan Namboothiripad will not help you!
Who’s that!?
It’s for me to know and you to tell! Do let me know!
Shubh ratri…
ramadocblog 