Plague
I doubt many of us thought much about "plague" as we sat in our desks back in high school -- maybe even college -- but that has changed now. History sometimes has a way of sneaking up on you.
For those of you collecting there is a new museum piece out. The Dirty Rat - Plague Doctor comes in both PBR and legacy versions; choose your preference. Plenty of detail, this really does look like a museum piece.
From the notecard:
Europe, Late 17th Century
This authentic display captures the haunting figure of a plague doctor, a symbol of both dread and hope during Europe's devastating outbreaks. The iconic mask, designed with its long beak filled with aromatic herbs and spices, was believed to purify the air and protect the doctor from infection.
The doctor's cane was a crucial tool—used to examine patients from a distance, reducing the risk of contamination, and signaling authority in crowded, afflicted streets. The small surgical scalpel, meticulously preserved, symbolizes the harsh reality and desperate medical efforts during a time when treatments were primitive and often ineffective.
Recovered from an estate in southern France, this particular set belonged to Dr. Étienne Laurent, who tirelessly served villages around Marseille during the Great Plague of 1720. Dr. Laurent was known for his courage and compassion, risking his own health to tend to the afflicted. His equipment, displayed here, offers poignant insight into the bravery and tragedy intertwined in the history of medicine.
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