Summary
This worked bone toothbrush was excavated during one of the digs conducted at the Commonwealth Block site between 1988 and 2003.
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 worked bone toothbrush handle. It has a long handle which is pinched at the neck and four rows of holes for bristles.
Physical Description
Worked bone toothbrush handle with four rows of holes for bristles. Brush has a long handle and is pinched at the neck. Length 160mm.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Heritage Victoria, Industry Superannuation Property Trust, 03 May 2005
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Inscriptions
None
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Context Number
18/26
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Site
[CCS] Australia, Victoria, Commonwealth Block, Melbourne
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Activity
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Specific Activity
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Exhibition Collection Management
7 mm (Length), 13 mm (Width), 160 mm (Height)
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Keywords