While beards went in and out of fashion throughout history, they were a definite staple in 1800’s England, because doctors told men to grow them.

It was believed that big, bushy beards were one of the best ways to prevent bacteria and viruses from entering the respiratory tract. In essence, they were a giant filter.

Given that mainstream media keeps on harping on how much bacteria there are in men’s beards, this is one Victorian era belief that actually still holds true.