In the 17th century Charles De Lorme is reputed to have developed the now widely recognized plague doctor personal protective equipment (PPE) suit with its distinctive beak shaped mask. For centuries people employed masks of various kinds to protect against occupational and environmental dust, smoke, and toxic materials. The collections of the National Library of Medicine include a variety of images depicting people using this category of masks in a variety of historical contexts. While there are many kinds of cultural masks-for ceremony, art, or entertainment-there is another important category of masks: protective equipment for health and safety.
This Halloween, choosing the right mask and wearing it properly is especially important for public health and safety. A Halloween mask could frighten your friends, hide your identity, or help you pretend to be someone or something you are not. By Elizabeth Mullen ~ Behind the Mask, 1851Īs the end of October approaches many people begin to think about costumes.
