Though the image is iconic the relationship may be a little anachronistic. While plague doctors have been plying their trade since the Middle Ages, it was only after this period, during the 17th century, that they acquired their creepy trademark costume. But what does it mean?

The Various Roles of Plague Doctors

The plague doctor is arguably one of the most enigmatic figures to have emerged from the Middle Ages. These were European physicians who specialized in treating victims of the plague, the best known example being the Black Death . Plague doctors were public servants hired by villages, towns, or cities when a plague struck .

In theory, the primary duties of a plague doctor were to treat and cure victims of the plague, and to bury the dead . Plague doctors were also responsible for tallying the number of casualties in logbooks for public record, and documented the last wishes of their patients. Furthermore, plague doctors were often summoned to testify and witness wills of the dead and dying.