Ways of Dying in 1665

[TheScarlettPimpernel]

So I'm just copying out a weekly Bill of Mortality from London, 1665 (don't ask!)

Look at some of the ways of dying - anyone care to hazard a guess at what some of them might be?!

Plague - 7165 (IN A WEEK!!!)
Childbed - 42 - just goes to show, it's all very well bemoaning medicalised childbirth/interventions/CSs but look at the alternative
Grief - 3 (Not bloody surprising - wonder what the actual medical cause was?)
Griping in the Guts - 51!
Rising of the Lights - 11 (WTF was that then? In offal, are the lights the lungs, right?)
Kingsevil - 2 (Don't ask me how I know this, but I believe this to be scrofula)
Wormes - 15 (OH EM GEE, you could die of worms )
Impostume - 11 (what?!)
Frighted - 3 (three people scared to death in a week )
Winde - 3 (Oh yeah. FARTED TO DEATH)

I realise I am a bit morbid

and then Thomas seymour was beheaded so she was left an orphan

www.elizabethfiles.com/mary-seymour-daughter-of-catherine-parr-and-thomas-seymour/5589/

just found this.

They think she died at about 2 years old

I'm impressed by the idea that tampon use has any influence on hymen breakage. I know they didn't have Ann Summers or batteries, but I'm sure they could improvise with root vegetables

Caz, I've done a bit of searching, there are lots of different theories about what happened to her. One is that she ended up marrying a stable hand for love and dying in poverty. Another that she was a lady in waiting to queen Elizabeth.

Julia

17th Century
Throughout history
Ancient Greece

Carrots look a bit unsophisticated after that lot

Holy crap R2 I just opened those at WORK!

so.... somebody actually invented a steam-powered vibrator

Thanks, R2, I've decided to rename my Rabbit "Oblisbos" in hopes it will seem less alarming with a historical theme

Just for you, Tunip.

Saggy - well they sound happier endings

EEK, sorry HeartsTrumpDiamonds. I should have put a warning on.

Although they are 'art' and 'history' right

One of my modules at university involved a lecture on that Greek pot and other similar pieces.

Funnily enough the lecture theatre was packed.

Um...it wouldn't be very discreet would it? I imagine it chuffing and whistling away.

Halfway through thread and I am in LOVE.

Best. Thread. Ever.

Yikes, I came down to the thread end to post and you're talking about steam-powered vibrators?

Well just to put in my pennorth, I think Lethargy must mean hypothyroid, where someone has no energy as the thyroid packs up, followed by just about everything else.

(Going to read the rest of the thread later, when I'm not going to get funny looks for laughing)

I've just pulled another piece of random information out of my overcrowded with crap brain...
I saw somewhere on tv, that the ancient Egyptians used crocodile dung as a contraceptive. And modern research shows that it actually contains hormones that could have actually made it effective!
Off to google...

I can't think of anything less likely to get me in the mood that crocodile dung, so I guess you could say it was a very effective contraception.

I just found this...

The origins of crocodile dung as a contraceptive dates back many millennia. One source says that the first recorded instance came about when a young Egyptian man was out in his chariot one starry night with a young Egyptian woman. He pulled over to a deserted spot on the road where romantic young couples often lingered. He claimed his horse was out of oats, and by the way, wouldn't she be cooler on such a hot night if she loosened her clothes a bit? They kissed, and as their passion grew, the woman stopped him and said, "Wait, what if I get pregnant?"
The young man looked around, saw a pile of crocodile dung by the riverbank, and said, "Don't worry, darling, we can use crocodile dung."
"What?" she said, pulling her robes back into place.
"Don't worry, it's an ancient method of contraception," he said. "I love you, baby. I'd never lie to you."
So they used the crocodile dung and did the deed.
Nine months later, she delivered a healthy baby. And that was how the phrase was born: "Everything men tell you is a croc of shit."

I know it lowers the tone of this very informative thread, but it did make me chuckle!

The Egyptians used things a bit like tampons too. Fabric, greased wool (ok I suppose) and papyrus. Now that can't have been comfortable.

I think if you beat papyrus fibres with stones, they become more pliable and not as scratchy as you'd think - I mean, if they can make nappies etc. out of bamboo, it must be possible! :)

Saggy - that story is hilarious!

I have a vague idea that they used to chew papyrus to make it soft. I may have made that up though.

R2 no worries - I am the one in charge of the Internet firewall and blacklist

You can go at a fair old tilt sidesaddle.At the Opening meet of our hunt there were 27 ladies riding side saddle plus a little girl of about 12,who flew over the hedges.There was plenty of galloping and jumping and side saddles are actually very secure and safe with no inability to control the horse.

In the 19th century ladies out hunting wore habits with detachable skirts in case of a fall.The theory was that immodesty was better than being dragged along and possibly killedif you fell and your skirt got caught on the pommel.On one occasion a lady did end up minus her skirt and the call went out for a 'married gentleman' to assist her and help her cover up.

History of Tampons
I dunno, from the death notices of 1665 with a diversion through Agatha Christie, misbehaving Henry, prehistoric sex toys and tampons.
Not exactly Netmums stuff, thats for sure.

Melty, that would make sense - the enzymes in the saliva might have helped to break it down into a softer substance.

Mirage - you can now but not with the first ones invented in the 14thC!

for all you enjoying this, as I am can I recommend the book of the Body farm, and follow up of which i am reading now, fascinating stuff!