The world has constantly evolved and is constantly evolving, so it is not news when we say that in a bid to be neat, our ancestors had some very weird hygiene practices which would utterly disgust anybody from this century. Pretty much most of the things done then would be seen as barbaric acts now. But who is to blame? No one. If were born then, we definitely would have done the same, because we didn’t know better.
Let’s take a look at 10 of them:
1. Bathing
Bath tubs, showers and personal boreholes were not a thing in the past, and because of that, water was not a very basic commodity. It couldn’t easily be accessed like it is now, in the 21st century. The past centuries had people having to go the stream to have their bath together. Yes, it was a public bath house. Nothing could be hidden from anyone except, of course, you go at a time that would be odd for anyone to have their bath which I’m sure some really reserved persons had to do.
2. Disposing of Refuse
Recycling didn’t become a recognized concept until quiet recently. In the past, each house or community, had a general pit dug out for the sole purpose of dumping in the waste. It sometimes got so full that it became a place where diseases easily got contracted.
3. Perfumes
This was hardly ever seen. It was honestly not even in existence. People smelled different type of ways but it wasn’t regarded as odd, because it was deemed normal. Not like today where the slightest odd smell would have you pegged as someone with body odour. Although, the royalty in those times used grounded flower on themselves to smell better. Not everyone could afford it or have it done, so it was mostly accessible to the wealthy.
4. Make- Up
A lot of women who were make up inclined often used lead powder as a whitening agent, and beautifier. They applied it consistently and also added a red substance from some form of chalks, to get the blush effect. It is no surprise that we see some similarities between the make up trends now and then, though, they are a world apart different in other areas.
5. Surgery Tools
The knowledge that infections exist was not a thing in the past. Dead-beat, rusted, infected equipment were used to perform operations and were hardly ever disinfected.
6. Tooth Brushing
Did you know that the Romans made use of a rat’s brain to brush their teeth? Yes. It was exactly as surprising to us when we discovered. The brain was usually removed from the mouse, dried up, and used to clean the teeth. I wonder just how that was invented.
7. Face Cleansing
Urine. Urine was known to have quiet a lot of cleansing properties, it still is recommended by some people to be used a face wash. Shocking? I agree. Elements of truth can be grasped from the fact that urine comes up in a lot of health talks in our century.
8. Blood Cleansing
Laboratory tests were obviously not carried out in the old age. In the 19th century, the physician simply recommended leeches to be placed on top of the patient’s skin, in order to suck out the bad blood. It was food to them. Apparently, there was a science behind this. The leech, a specie of worms, was used to properly circulate blood flow, or deplete an area where bad blood might be suspected to have compiled.
9. Using the Bathroom at Night
As you correctly know, reserved spaces for easing off was not yet a discovered house feature in the past. People eased themselves in bushes and at night, they made use of a pan that was always placed under the bed, nowhere else. During the day, the content would be poured out on the streets or in a pit. No, nobody took offence with that. It was normal.
10.Child Birth
Vinegar and oil were common pain reducers given to women during child birth to ease their pain and aid the delivery by the midwives.