The Terrifying Plague Doctors of the 17th Century

TLDRThe devastating outbreaks of bubonic plague in 17th century Italy led to the emergence of plague doctors, who were hired to treat plague patients. Their costumes, including bird beak-like masks, were designed to protect them from the perceived cause of infection, evil smells or bad air. In reality, the plague was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and spread by fleas found on rats. Plague doctors' treatments, such as bloodletting and the use of leeches, were ineffective. The guillotine was introduced as a humane form of execution during the French Revolution. There are conflicting reports about how long consciousness remains after decapitation. The infamous Lizzie Borden murders in 1892 shocked the small town of Fall River, Massachusetts, as her father and stepmother were brutally killed with a hatchet.

Key insights

💀Plague doctors were hired during the devastating outbreaks of bubonic plague in 17th century Italy to treat plague patients, especially those who couldn't afford treatment.

🦠Plague doctors' costumes, including bird beak-like masks, were believed to protect them from evil smells or bad air, which were thought to be the cause of infection at the time.

🐀The bubonic plague was actually caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which exists in fleas found on rats.

⚔️The guillotine was introduced during the French Revolution as a humane form of execution, causing immediate death.

🔪The infamous Lizzie Borden murders in 1892 shocked the small town of Fall River, Massachusetts, as her father and stepmother were brutally killed with a hatchet.

Q&A

What were the plague doctors' costumes for?

—The plague doctors' costumes, including bird beak-like masks, were believed to protect them from what was thought to be the cause of infection, evil smells or bad air.

What caused the bubonic plague?

—The bubonic plague was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which exists in fleas found on rats.

How long does consciousness remain after decapitation?

—There are conflicting reports about how long consciousness remains after decapitation. Some scientists argue that any consciousness would be extinguished almost instantly, while others claim there may be a few seconds of residual brain activity.

How was the guillotine introduced?

—The guillotine was introduced during the French Revolution as a more humane form of execution, causing immediate death.

What were the Lizzie Borden murders?

—The Lizzie Borden murders took place in 1892 and involved the brutal killings of Lizzie Borden's father and stepmother with a hatchet. The murders shocked the small town of Fall River, Massachusetts.

Timestamped Summary

00:20The devastating outbreaks of bubonic plague in 17th century Italy led to the emergence of plague doctors, who were hired to treat plague patients. Their costumes, including bird beak-like masks, were designed to protect them from the perceived cause of infection, evil smells or bad air.

02:16The bubonic plague was actually caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which exists in fleas found on rats.

03:20The guillotine was introduced during the French Revolution as a humane form of execution, causing immediate death.

09:09The infamous Lizzie Borden murders in 1892 shocked the small town of Fall River, Massachusetts, as her father and stepmother were brutally killed with a hatchet.

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