Summary

This base of a ceramic toothpaste jar was excavated at the Commonwealth Block site between 1988 and 2003. The maker's mark suggests it was a 1/2 ounce jar of Maw's Cherry Toothpaste.

Health and hygiene.
'Cleanliness is next to Godliness'. This is a difficult maxim to follow when 'there is not one bath in sixty', when sewerage gathers in cesspits and open drainage channels line the streets.But the residents of Little Lon did practice personal hygiene. Archaeologists have uncovered toothbrushes and toothpaste pots, scent bottles, soap dishes, combs and hairbrushes.
Clean teeth and neat hair did not guarantee good health however. Doctors were expensive, so ordinary people had to rely on medicines like Holloway's Ointment and Hall's Vegetable Pain Conqueror as well as Chinese herbal remedies. Children were dosed weekly with the laxative castor oil, to keep their bowels regular.

Physical Description

This is the base of a ceramic toothpaste jar. It is round and shallow. The fabric is white in colour with a neutral glaze.

Physical Description

60% complete base of toothpaste jar. Impressed mark on base reads 'MAW 1/2' White colour fabric with neutral glaze. Maw's Cherry Toothpaste, probably 1/2 ounce pot. Made by: Maw - - [History & Technology Party] Non-food vessel - Utilitarian - Household.

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