Plague Robes Blocked Infectious Fleas

The iconic 17th-century plague doctor costume may have protected wearers during bubonic plague outbreaks, although not for the reasons doctors believed. Its birdlike mask held aromatic herbs, spices, flowers, perfume, or vinegar that doctors thought would block miasma, the evil-smelling "bad air" blamed for infection. That theory was wrong, but the waxed linen robe prevented plague-carrying fleas from touching the body or clinging to the clothing. Gloves, boots, glass eye coverings, and full-body garments also shielded doctors from splattered blood, lymph, and cough droplets.

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