Myth 3, They were oblivious to Filth (the “how did they poop?” part)

[Tsalagidave]

(Disclaimer) Three months ago, I put my business & marketing background to use in ascertaining why there is a general decline in the American Reenacting hobby. I came up with a lot of reasons and it evolved into a book that I took excerpts from to start making posts here. Cutting out the text to make it a short-fast read really hurt. I had to remove vital information that supports each claim as well as cited resources on which I based my statements. That being said, if sources are really what you'd like to see (and I'd like to show) please either reply to this initial post or send me a PM so that I can provide them for the benefit of the discussion.

The Miscarriage of History, how Docents, Living Historians and other "Volunteers" Convince Us Why Our Heritage is Better off Forgotten (Section 3.0)

This is an excerpt from a larger article addressing the concern that misrepresentation of the American frontier era is often perpetuated by well-intentioned reenactors and docents who are actually doing more harm than good despite their efforts. I combined my past experience in historical research, anthropology and archaeology to address a series of myths that need to be rectified.

Myth 3, People of the 1800s were oblivious to Filth (the "how did they poop?" part)

There was a clear understanding in previous centuries that filth bred disease.  It was well known that excrement could foul water the same as any other "animalcumulae" could. For this reason, measures were taken to separate the privy from the water source as much as possible. (*Note: Even this was not always effective as demonstrated in places like London where contamination of the river water was so extreme that even the water tables of many city wells were compromised.)
 
Toilet paper actually was not in common use until the early 20th century. There was an abundant stock of discarded paper (not just store catalogs) in addition to old rag stock and even pulverized vegetable products. Most people took discarded paper and crumpled it while doing their business until it was soft enough to use. My 94-year old grandparents are still alive and say this is how it was done by them and their grandparents too.  They grew up in 1880 era houses in the Midwest without access to running water or electricity during the 1920-1930's. The most common sanitary products were old newsprint, almanacs, magazines, handbills and other scrap paper.  My extensive research and collecting of early American ephemera has revealed to me that post industrial age printed paper was very affordable and available in great abundance within the average home. Other options may include old rag stock, dried corn shucks, Spanish moss or flax. Frontiersmen would have added various grasses, lichens and other plant materials to the list. Although many pseudo-historians love to say they used "dry corn cobs" to clean their backsides, this is largely a myth.  First of all, it would be so abrasive to the skin and delicate areas that you'd have better luck using a pine cone or piece of sand paper. Second, the few corn cobs found in archaeological privy digs are mainly in the Southern States and other regions where there is a high amount of mosquitoes. Apparently, they were burnt as a means of warding off these pests in the same manner that we use citronella candles today.
It was commonplace for outhouses to have a lid over the "glory hole" both as a measure of reducing stench as well as keep the "night soil" from being infested with flies and other vermin.  Although it was common to bury a full pit and move the outhouse in rural locations, urban environments required  individuals to be hired to "scoop out" a full pit's content of night soil and dispose of it often in the same way that manure is processed for agrarian means.
An added measure was also to keep a bucket of quick lime, lye or white fire ash with a scoop for the same reasons as the lid served.  Lastly, congeniality was not forgotten in the privy.  The multi-hole facilities mostly had partitions for the benefits of its occupant's privacy.  

[Blair]

Dave,

Great report!

Many people today don't believe people in history washed or bathed?
In fact they bathed (washed) everyday.
What we call bathing today is quite different from what most common folks called bathing as little as 75 years ago.

Today you turn on a tap/spigot, and you get cold and/or hot water. As much as you want!
Where did you get the water before this?
Toiletry?
If you don't have any of the normal cleaning products available... what do you use?
I is quite simple, what is at hand. Which hand is you choice. But I would suggest you draw up some water first, for washing after.
My best,
Blair

[Tsalagidave]

Dave,

Great report!

Many people today don't believe people in history washed or bathed?
In fact they bathed (washed) everyday.
What we call bathing today is quite different from what most common folks called bathing as little as 75 years ago.

Today you turn on a tap/spigot, and you get cold and/or hot water. As much as you want!
Where did you get the water before this?
Toiletry?
If you don't have any of the normal cleaning products available... what do you use?
I is quite simple, what is at hand. Which hand is you choice. But I would suggest you draw up some water first, for washing after.
My best,
Blair

Blair, I actually did Myth2 on bathing also on this forum today. To make a long story short. Period bath tubs of the common make were generally made of tin or tinned steel and often decorated to match the decor of the room. Some of the poorer households may have opted to use a large washtub instead. Water was obtained from a nearby well. Although there were open wells where the water table was high, hand pumps predate our period by centuries and were commonly used also. Water would be hand carried in buckets or a couple of casks on a sled or wagon may be filled and taken to the house. A device that resembles a modern sink was sometimes available. Well water filled a cistern on it and the spigot dispensed in into a basin similar to what we use today. Grey water drained into a slop bucket that was emptied outside.  It was fairly a common practice to have a smaller cask for drinking water and a larger cask for washing the home, clothes, eating ware, the kitchen, and bathing. Although some places actually boasted hot and cold running water in the mid-1800s, it was not the norm. When I have had period baths, I found it easier to fill the tub half way with ground water while bringing a couple of tin pails full of water to a boil. Once added to the cold ground water, it was lukewarm enough for a suitable bath. Had I put more effort into this, I am certain that I could have easily made it warmer. I was just impatient the few times I have done this.

-Dave

[Kent Shootwell]

This is not my normal type of thread but I can't help but jump in. And thanks for bring it up Dave.
I think the lack of interest in reenacting isn't from expense or time. Most people I run into will spend a considerable amount of money on the latest electronic device then more on the game or what ever to amerce them selves in the fantasy world. I find many of a wide range of ages that will devote many dollars and hours of their lives to shooting at pixels but have refused to try the real world of shooting sports. I have taken folks to shooting events and to rendezvous at my expense and each enjoyed themselves and recount the event from time to time as a fine time.  Over the last 40 plus years I have only hooked a few, but they were in the early part of that time and the last 10 years yielded none. I myself have lost interest as the last few camps I attended were full of old folks talking about their jobs, children or pets. They could not be drug out to shoot, throw hawks, play with the flint and steel or any thing. How bored would any new guy be. Cowboy action has become to a large part, a arms race (light springs, light loads, small calibre, exc.) with the noticeable exception of handful that prefer to play old west like it was real with jingling spurs and all. A sport is what we make of it and maybe we are failing to engage the next group, or has it's time past? Read the forums and note how many get few posts and most by the same folks. I count my self among them.

[Tsalagidave]

I feel your pain Kent and I agree. This post is just an excerpt from a full article I wrote. It covers many factors that have  contributed to this hobby's decline. I laid a lot of blame on established reenactors lacking the drive and organizational skills  to make it interesting for new  members. I have mostly abandoned the attempt to take prospects to an event. I now go camping in modern clothing but show off enough primitive woodcraft to coax new members.  I later offer events as a form of taking the next step.

[Bruce W Sims]

I'm right there with you, Ken...and what you are identifying gets touched on this way and that
way but there is truly only one real cure. IMHO the "cure" is to demonstrate by our lifestyle
that what has gone before us still has validity in modern society. Among the things that I
continue to investigate are herbal remedies for common issues, period home cooking, clothing
and home furnishings. Now, I'm NOT talking about living in a museum or being a "reenactor".
What I am speaking to is the very thing you mentioned about how folks who come out to events
often do so with one foot still pointed towards career and finances. Quite recently I have read a few
interesting articles in my MUZZLELOADER magazine about folks who go off on a trek and keep as much
as possible "period" including camp skills, portage, food and gathering from the local plant-life. Feeding
addictions to cellphone, text-messages, TV/Radio and electric lights will undoubtedly spell the end of
our Frontier Heritage unless we demonstrate how living a simpler life is as valid (maybe more so) than
perpetually chasing the next big thing. FWIW.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[Tsalagidave]

Great insight Bruce, I am a huge advocate of keeping the old methods alive in everyday life. I agree that most people cannot relate to the reenacting hobby but the can be imbued with a sense of understanding toward why studying the past is even relevant. We have a lot of work to do.

Modern media has done a tremendous job at portraying the past as woefully backwards  while so-called "experts" in reenacting garb and docent uniforms have contributed to the negative image by perpetuating myth after myth without ever thinking about searching extensively from the period resources. Interestingly enough, while  leading anthropologists and archaeologists have documented the numerous physical changes homo sapien sapiens have made to adapt to their various environments, there is still no conclusive evidence that our species is getting progressively "smarter". This means that humankind's capacity for deductive reasoning, and innovative thought over the past centuries has remained consistent regardless of our great strides in science and technology.

This really needs to be driven home that our ancestors did have valuable insight. They did employ useful solutions to everyday problems and our over reliance on iPhones, the internet and home delivery is a poor excuse for why the average guy no longer has the knowledge to change his own oil. We have much to learn again from our ancestors and I highly agree that if we want to see this hobby grow, common interest in the period must grow first.

-Dave

[Bruce W Sims]

Amen!

I am second-gen Polish as my grandmother came to this country in 1912. She grew-up
on an estate in Poland which is a diplomatic way of saying she was among the many
farm-help that kept the estate owner going. I mention this because early-on my
grandmother got quite a name for herself with her knowledge of herbal remedies.
When she came to the US she was able to bring that with her and became very well-
known in the town where she lived. In her later years when she wound up in a nursing
home she was still going out to gather this or that plant... to take care of this or that
problem. I can't imagine the wealth of wisdom she took with her when she passed as none of
her children (including my mother) ever took much interest--though they benefitted from
these skills the entire time they were growing-up. FWIW.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[Tsalagidave]

Bruce,

It always grieves me when so much knowledge in addition to a great person are claimed by the grave.  I am trying so hard to soak up what I can from my 95 year old grandparents.  They have been such a blessing and I never feel like I'll learn enough from them. Back to your grandmother, it sounds like she was the embodiment of what this country has to offer and the fine quality of people who have come to join the family.  I'm very happy you know so much about her.  She sounds like she was a person of true grit.

-Dave

[Major 2]

".... so much knowledge in addition to a great person are claimed by the grave."

I could listen and enjoyed the life stories & adventure  of the "folks" for hours.

My Dads father was born 6 years after the War Between the States, I knew him well in to teens ( his father my GGrandfather was a
civilian commissariat for Union Army in Kentucky ) the stories Granddaddy told are priceless.
My Dad would be 113 this year, he and his 2 year older brother, along his Father & Mother ( Granddaddy & Grandmuddy) traveled to
New Mexico by wagon in 1906... Where they settled and opened a general mercantile called Ragland's.
The site is Ragland, New Mexico a small settlement today in Quay Co.
I listened to the stories of the travels & hardships with wonderment.

I had  GGreat Aunt's Tuddie & Maimie ( my Mother great aunts ) I knew both  well in their 90's, she and her sister were the baby sisters of three older brothers all of which served the Confederacy from 1861...I never met them, but I did know Aunt Tuddie & Aunt Maimie (Elisabeth & Margaret ) they spoke of their big brother's Virgil, John & Pea often.  

so much fascinating facts so much entwined with the American History happening all around them....  

[Tsalagidave]

That's a great story Major2.  What I'd have give to have been able to speak with actual veterans of the Civil War.  Its great that your family history is so well documented.

-Dave

[Blair]

I too wish I had been able to talk with my ACW ancestors.
Unfortunately all had passed way before I was born, or even had enough knowledge to be able to ask specific questions.
My Grandfather had a post CW print of the battle of Antietam. Depicting the Union Infantry advance on the CS positions in front of the Dunker Church. My Grandfather said the print was done so well, that Charles Auld (Grandpa's father-in-law) could point out the location where he came onto the field of battle. Grandpa could remember the details of the location on the print.
I was less than 10 years old at the time but can remember the print very well.
With the documentation I have received for Charles S. Auld from the National Archives and his Pension Records, along with my own research and interest in ACW history and the Battle of Antietam, I have been able to fill in the blanks from the family oral history that I had grown up with.

This info may have nothing to do with "filth".... All I am suggesting is don't "Poop" on Family oral history!
My best,
Blair   

[Major 2]

That's a great story Major2.  What I'd have give to have been able to speak with actual veterans of the Civil War.  Its great that your family history is so well documented.

-Dave

Don't misunderstand ...  John was a grown man when sisters Elisabeth & Margaret  were born ( 1872 & 73 )
Virgil & Pea didn't survive the war.... one died of Dysentery in service during the war ,  the other in route home after the fall of the Confederacy.
This relayed by John to the family (this is his image, in my possession ) he'd have been in his upper 20's when the girls were born.
( extrapolating John would have been born in 1845 near about, and was the younger of the boys  )  
Both girls lived into their 90's Tuddie ( the younger ) 96 when she passed and her last few years were in a bit of dementia
Maimie ( Margaret ) the older by a year was clear as bell till her own death in 1960. Both told me about big brother John.
I know he passed sometime in 1917.
I was 12 when Margaret passed & about 14 when Tuddie ( Elisabeth ) crossed over , her last years were clouded and little
real memories were lost to her.  
When I can get to my other computer I'll post the tintype of the three brothers in uniform circa 1861  

While I never met them ... I met them (in particular John ) vicariously through the girls memories.

Edit: as promised the Norton Brothers , John is seated .... Virgil (L)  Pea (R)  standing