it's like the eye of a duck

This book, The Dirt on Clean: An Unsanitized History looks especially interesting considering the repeated discussions I find myself in re: historical hygiene. It's a topic I know little about but I know enough to recognize that the modern conception of washing = soap and water isn't the only way to get clean - I'm specifically thinking of the Romans and their oil + strigil, or the vigorous scrubbing with towels done by the Elizabethans (not a lot of washing, perhaps, but a whole lot of exfoliation!)

It's possible even in today's polluted, modern cities to successfully (i.e. inoffensively, unstinkily) go without washing one's hair (search the H-costume archive for "not washing hair" for the story from a man who figured out that after 22 weeks, his scalp and hair took care of themselves), though I have to admit mine is so short I'd never try it.

I'm also pleased to read that the book covers the theory that allergies and asthma are more common among modern people because our washing habits remove us so completely from the natural world. Worth considering.

Not sure I'd change my bathing habits though, at least not much. My face feels like an oil slick after only a day and the goop I use in my hair demands washing out to avoid the same. I am trying to use milder soaps this winter though, as every doGdamn thing seems to irritate lately :P

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Note I leave no selections for "no bathing at all" 'cos I can't imagine anyone reading just isn't.

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