Summary
This small, round mirror for personal use was excavated at Casselden Place in 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
Small round mirror with a rusted metal back.
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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Date Used
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Context Number
2.098
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Site
Australia, Victoria, H7822-1209, Casselden Place, 50 Lonsdale Street, 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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Object Measurements
56 mm (Width), 5 mm (Height)
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Keywords
Making History - Little Lonsdale Street, Personal Grooming, Beauty Products
