this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2024
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Unwashed savages!
Funny enough, Europeans of the 15th and 16th centuries were more likely to be unwashed than their medieval predecessors. Bath-houses had acquired something of a seedy reputation, a medical fad that suggested bathing was unhealthy was in vogue, and it was seen as a mark of humility (very Christian and virtuous!) to go long periods without such vanity as washing oneself. In the medieval period, at least, you'd have even rural people rinsing in the river on the regular!
Antibathers? They had medical antibathers?
Oh shit oh fuck don't tell the antivaxers, imagine having coworkers who refuse to vaccinate and never bathe...
This but even more often
Steve Jobs is a recent notable example of an anti-bather.
can you imagine turning up to work, and your boss - too afraid to confront your strange beliefs - simply assigns you the night shift to not have to interact with your weird ass
What was that theory called again?
Miasma theory. The thinking was, at least partially, that bathing opened up your pores, through which 'bad air' (miasma) could seep in. Funny enough, miasma theory after and before this period was used primarily to support bathing. Goes to show people can twist anything to their purposes.