Uncough, unwashed people...
Turns out that until the Middle Ages folks were quite clean had bathhouses (some of ill repute) or any type of natural water to wash in, rivers, ponds...
Then in the Middle Ages disaster struck: The plague. Washing became an issue as folks started to believe ablutions were part of the problem so stopped washing.
They used oil, perfumes to hide body odors...
I took the advent of running water in cities for folks to start washing again...
Today we have COVID... What will change in our behavior?
![](https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/images/smilies/sm04.gif)
Rongnongno wrote:
Turns out that until the Middle Ages folks were quite clean had bathhouses (some of ill repute) or any type of natural water to wash in, rivers, ponds...
Then in the Middle Ages disaster struck: The plague. Washing became an issue as folks started to believe ablutions were part of the problem so stopped washing.
They used oil, perfumes to hide body odors...
I took the advent of running water in cities for folks to start washing again...
Today we have COVID... What will change in our behavior?
![](https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/images/smilies/sm04.gif)
Turns out that until the Middle Ages folks were qu... (
show quote)
Many reports and info about life in the Middle Ages. Many only took one bath in their entire lives-wedding day. Most weddings in N. Europe were set for June. Most flowers were in bloom and smelling great so the ceremony could occur without stink marring things! Did not wear underwear until the time of the Enlightenment!
If you have to ask that question you have simply not been attention or are you being facetious?
joecichjr
Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Rongnongno wrote:
Turns out that until the Middle Ages folks were quite clean had bathhouses (some of ill repute) or any type of natural water to wash in, rivers, ponds...
Then in the Middle Ages disaster struck: The plague. Washing became an issue as folks started to believe ablutions were part of the problem so stopped washing.
They used oil, perfumes to hide body odors...
I took the advent of running water in cities for folks to start washing again...
Today we have COVID... What will change in our behavior?
![](https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/images/smilies/sm04.gif)
Turns out that until the Middle Ages folks were qu... (
show quote)
You've just convinced me never to bathe again...
![](https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/images/smilies/sm09.gif)
It depends on politics now, here in the U. S. In the rest of the world, who knows-probably politics will interfere world wide.
Bridges
Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA
Rongnongno wrote:
Turns out that until the Middle Ages folks were quite clean had bathhouses (some of ill repute) or any type of natural water to wash in, rivers, ponds...
Then in the Middle Ages disaster struck: The plague. Washing became an issue as folks started to believe ablutions were part of the problem so stopped washing.
They used oil, perfumes to hide body odors...
I took the advent of running water in cities for folks to start washing again...
Today we have COVID... What will change in our behavior?
![](https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/images/smilies/sm04.gif)
Turns out that until the Middle Ages folks were qu... (
show quote)
Before Covid we would occasionally see people wearing masks in public. More often than not they were Asians. It would always raise the question: Is this person seriously infected with some disease and maybe shouldn't be in public at all -- or are they overly cautious about getting a cold or flu? Now that we have experienced Covid, I wonder if in the future we might begin wearing masks when a major flu outbreak happens to lessen the spread. I can see masks becoming commonplace in the future.
No handshaking anymore when people meet. I agree with Bridges in that masks are probably here to stay for a long time to come.
Bridges wrote:
Before Covid we would occasionally see people wearing masks in public. More often than not they were Asians. It would always raise the question: Is this person seriously infected with some disease and maybe shouldn't be in public at all -- or are they overly cautious about getting a cold or flu? Now that we have experienced Covid, I wonder if in the future we might begin wearing masks when a major flu outbreak happens to lessen the spread. I can see masks becoming commonplace in the future.
Before Covid we would occasionally see people wear... (
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In have not had a cold since I started wearing a mask last March and sanitizing my hands after every outing in the public. So I think there’s some benefit to protecting yourself from transmissible diseases.
Stan
I have to admit I hadn't heard the word "ablution" for so long I had to look it up. It's almost my ablution time.
My understanding was that Christianity frowned on bathing and washing because the (pagan) Romans practiced it so such attention to the body was considered blasphemous.
When indoor plumbing became available in the late 1800's, few people would install it for religious reasons so the plumbers and pipe manufacturers set out to change that attitude. It was the American Plumbers Association that coined the phrase "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" as a way to sell their product. It's a relatively new advertising slogan, not something with an old religious origin.
Could be an urban legend but it makes sense.
fourlocks wrote:
My understanding was that Christianity frowned on bathing and washing because the (pagan) Romans practiced it so such attention to the body was considered blasphemous.
When indoor plumbing became available in the late 1800's, few people would install it for religious reasons so the plumbers and pipe manufacturers set out to change that attitude. It was the American Plumbers Association that coined the phrase "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" as a way to sell their product. It's a relatively new advertising slogan, not something with an old religious origin.
Could be an urban legend but it makes sense.
My understanding was that Christianity frowned on ... (
show quote)
It does not make sense considering that:
- Washing feet before stepping near the altar was required
- Washing hands when entering a church was required. A communal basin was available at the entrance of a church. It was then transformed into the simpler sign of the cross when entering a church as washing the sins from outside and prevent evil to enter (as you did). Do note that this water was 'blessed'.
- Baptism is the ultimate washing of the sins and involves being submerged in water.
The Roman church did not try to erase many things from the Roman other than their gods and pagan celebrations. They profited too much from it.
What ever you do, you will have to do it alone wearing a mask.
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