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EARLY HANDWASHING PRACTICES Today, washing our hands is a normal, routine activity. However, there was a time when handwashing was optional even for surgeons. In today’s world, handwashing is highly recommended for people of all ages, but in the past

many children died because of infections caused by dirty hands. Prior to the discovery of soaps, people used only water and the oils from flowers for washing hands. In the early nineteenth century, people started using wash basins for washing the face and hands.

BATHING HABITS IN THE PAST

There was a time when daily bathing was not even considered. Only kings and lords and their households bathed daily. Some had special rooms set aside for bathing, while others bathed in huge tubs brought into their rooms. Among other things, bathing was considered necessary only for women—and not even daily. Gradually, people started using heated water, sometimes mixing it with perfumes, scented oils, and flower petals.

DID YOU KNOW?

• In the early nineteenth century, only the hands, feet, and face were regularly washed, while the rest of the body was washed every few weeks or longer.

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