A plague doctor’s salary could range from a few florins a month to full room, board, and expenses – but it meant the doctor had to treat even the poorest patients, who wouldn’t have been ...

Posted: June 2, 2025 | Last updated: June 7, 2025 The beaked mask wasn’t just for show—it was packed with herbs to ward off “bad air.” Underneath it? One of the most haunting jobs in history.

He would dawn a plague mask which usually resembled the face of a white bird to include a curved beak and glass, goggle-like eye holes.

Some plague doctors may have worn spooky-looking beak mask costumes to prevent infection during disease epidemics.