I shudder to think of the hygiene standards at the time, too. I read this thing about doctors in Vienna (pre-Pasteur) getting really mad when some dude was like "LOL MAYBE WE SHOULD WASH OUR HANDS BEFORE HELPING DELIVER BABIES". So they BOYCOTTED handwashing! This of course meant that infant-mother mortality rates tripled while they did that. :|a
Ooh I have a book about hygiene through history. It's called The Dirt on Clean. I am pretty sure Victorian times were mentioned but it's been a while since I read it.
Also their methods for dealing with disease were hilarious. Leeches for everyone! |D
Oooo, that's awesome! I'm prepping for a long trip, so I'll have to grab that book and read it 8>!
What's that? You're feeling dizzy? HAVE SOME LEECHES! ... What's that? You're pregnant? I HAVE JUST THE SOLUTION AND IT HAPPENS TO BE LEECHES! -What! You've been half-crushed by a cart horse?! WHY you are in luck here are some leeches!!!!!
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I shudder to think of the hygiene standards at the time, too. I read this thing about doctors in Vienna (pre-Pasteur) getting really mad when some dude was like "LOL MAYBE WE SHOULD WASH OUR HANDS BEFORE HELPING DELIVER BABIES". So they BOYCOTTED handwashing! This of course meant that infant-mother mortality rates tripled while they did that. :|a
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Also their methods for dealing with disease were hilarious. Leeches for everyone! |D
Reply
What's that? You're feeling dizzy? HAVE SOME LEECHES! ... What's that? You're pregnant? I HAVE JUST THE SOLUTION AND IT HAPPENS TO BE LEECHES! -What! You've been half-crushed by a cart horse?! WHY you are in luck here are some leeches!!!!!
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