The plague was a devastating disease in the 17th century, with the outbreak in 1665 being particularly severe. People were desperate to find ways to avoid catching the disease, and many different methods were tried. Some of these methods were more effective than others, but there was no guaranteed way to stay safe.
One of the most important things to do was to avoid contact with infected people. This meant staying away from areas where there were outbreaks of the plague, and avoiding contact with anyone who had symptoms of the disease. People also tried to protect themselves by wearing masks and gloves, and by carrying around herbs and spices that were thought to ward off the plague.
