Why plague doctors wore beaked masks

Explore the story of the European plague doctor and find out where his iconic outfit of beaked mask and robe came from.

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The year is 1656. Your body is ravaged by violent chills. Your head is pounding and you are too weak to sit up. In your feverish state, you see a strange-looking man wearing a beak-shaped 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.

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