The Word of the Day is really three words and comes from SUMMER by Ali Smith.
PLAGUE DOCTOR COSTUME
Now these costumes have freaked me out ever since I first saw one in a film whose name I have forgotten.
A thick leather costume worn by plague doctors to protect them from "miasma" considered infectious. The costume, used in Europe in the 17th century, consisted of a hooded overcoat, boots, gloves, and trousers which covered the entire body. It also had a beaked mask filled with aromatic substances, a wide-brimmed hat, and an outer over-clothing garment. The leather was coated with wax to repel any bodily fluids during patient visits.[1]
Plague doctor outfit from Germany (17th century).
The costume is attributed to French doctor Charles de Lorme.
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