Dealing with the smell of Dead Bodies
Medieval uses to what we use now
Tyler Gerig
MEDIEVAL uses "Hazmat" Suit
Birdlike Mask of the Plague Doctor
The doctors may have thought that dressing up in a bird-like gas mask, the plague would be transferred from the patient to the garment. This beak piece was also filled with vinegar, sweet oils, and other strong-smelling chemicals to mask the stench of death and unburied bodies.
MEDIEVAL USES "HAZMAT" SUIT (Cont)
Large Brimmed Hat
This was believed to be used partially to shield the doctor from bacteria.
Red Glass Eyes in the Mask
Apparently the Doctors thought that the eyepieces would make them seem evil (deadly disease)
The Overcoat and Leather Breeches
Simply put, these were used to shield the doctors from plague, flesh of the infected and were coated in wax to keep the fluids off as well as leather in the armpits, neck and groin areas.
The Wooden Cane
The Doctors used the cane to direct people on how to move the infected and examine them without direct contact.
Title
Modern Day Hazmat Suit
s/Dealing with the Smells
Suit A Suit B
Hazmat Suits Cont.
Suit A
"Hazmat gear will usually be worn in several layers, making it even less comfortable to wear. These layers are taped up at the ankle and wrist, so that there are no gaps for nasty things to enter. After using this equipment in a hazardous environment, the wearer will have to be decontaminated before removing the suit."
Suit B
"The outer layer is a completely sealed, "Level A" full encapsulation suit. The suit has a one way (exhaust) pressure bleed valve. This is required because as the wearer exhales, the used air must go somewhere. Even with this valve, the suits tend to blow up like balloons. When sealed up, the wearer is completely isolated from the outside atmosphere. Nothing (hopefully) can get in, and, unfortunately, almost nothing (including body heat and sweat) can get out. These suits are comprised of up to a dozen protective layers."
Dealing with the Smell Modern Day
Things that people use in Morgues to deal with the smell of a dead decomposing body
Today bodies are usually frozen priory to the autopsy to help reduce the smell, but some people use Vick's Vaporub on their mask to help decongest their nose. Some say peppermint under the nose helps with the smell as well as Carmex on their lips or under their nose.
Sources
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http://mentalfloss.com/article/49217/anatomy-14th-century-bubonic-plague-hazmat-suits#ixzz2VHMNDNuQ
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http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.com/2012/03/13/behind-the-mask-the-plague-doctor/
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http://ibpkillinggame.blogspot.com/2006/12/plague-doctors-then-and-now.html
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http://www.sccfd.org/clothing_hazmat.html
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http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100321231110AA5RQ6D
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http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20121008084155AAY6zmr
Dealing with the smell of Dead Bodies
By Tyler Gerig
