What would you do if you had to give first aid to someone who had drowned? Would you tickle their throat with a feather and give them warm coffee? Have you ever found yourself on the beach and considered yourself too delicate to endure the shock of cold sea bathing? If the answer to those questions is yes, then you may have read The Book of Household Management 1892. Read on for more dubious advice on hysteria, intoxication and male cleanliness…
The Book of Household Management 1892, Mrs. Isabella Beeton
Drowning;
‘Turn the patient instantly on the side, supporting the head, and excite the nostrils with a snuff, hartshorn and smelling salts, or tickle the throat with a feather’… ‘On the restoration of life a teaspoonful of warm water should be given, and then small quantities of warm coffee’.
Hysteria;
‘The patient must be spoken to kindly, yet firmly and be told to stop any eccentricities. Loosen the dress and remove anything tight from the neck. Give a teaspoonful of spirit of sal volatile in water. If no heed is taken in regard to what is said, dash cold water upon the face’.
Sea bathing;
‘For the many delicate ladies and children who are not strong enough to endure the shock of cold sea-baths from the beach; bathing in warm salt water, taken comfortably at home, is invaluable’.
Rest assured though, some things never change…
Intoxication;
‘Remove to warm atmosphere and give strong tea or coffee’.
Just how do you achieve the much sought after ‘glow of health’? ‘The Will & The Way to a Bath Everyday’ suggests drying thoroughly.
Yeech! Must tell undergrad son to test Mrs Beeton’s intoxication remedy on a friend one day!