On our bookshelves, positioned between the bizarrely-titled Doctor, there’s something wrong with my guts and the tantalising Tendinitis: its etiology and treatment are four volumes of The Household Physician, originally written in 1874 by Dr J McGregor-Robertson but updated in 1907.
After blowing off the dust (well, it’s like skirting boards, no-one gets too close to see) I sat for ages poring over these books, written by a rather stern Scottish doctor who was very didactic in his approach to what was meant to be a family guide to “the preservation of health and the domestic treatment of illness“.
I have stumbled upon a year’s worth of possible blog posts as the advice is, naturally, way out-of-date, but not just medically. The position of women in society is hugely apparent, as is the class system.
I’m at a loss as to where to start to share some of these gems but start I must so here is one of my favourite sections concerns “the management of monthly illness”. Yes, it is indeed an illness, according to Dr McGregor. But how about this corker of a paragraph regarding what one can and can’t do at such times:
“Common sense would suggest that exposure to cold, to damp, to draughts, should be avoided. Thus during the period mere jumping out of a warm bed and placing the bare feet on a cold floor or wax-cloth has often been the cause of serious illness………….Much more rest than is customary ought to be indulged in, no work requiring any strain should be undertaken………It is excessive foolishness for a woman to expose herself to undue excitement, specially the excitement of a round of pleasure or gaiety. Social gatherings, dances, games implying physical exertion such as lawn-tennis, boating, riding or walking excursions – all these should be refrained from at such a time……Those who are in charge of houses ought not to forget that some days of apparent slovenly and half-hearted work may have a reason other than that of idleness and ought to lighten the burden of work to their servants accordingly…………..Bathing is to be avoided, and in particular cold bathing.
I had planned an afternoon of boating and lawn-tennis today but it would seem I must cancel and retire to my bed. I do hope the maid isn’t similarly indisposed: I’m buggered if she’s getting off lightly with the laundry.
Update – 17 March – I did write a post about hysterical women and the menopause in a later post. The link is below if you want to see what Dr McGregor Robertson thought about it.
What sage advice – come Monday morning I will at all costs avoid removing myself from my nice warm bed…can't possibly get seriously ill because I'll have the husband's testicles to attend to…
mummmmmeeee – ah yes, of course, the impending testicle removal if birthday present is not forthcoming. I do hope, for his sake, he comes up trumps this time.
Some good advice from the Victorian period. And no riding when you are on your cycle.
(two puns in sixteen words!).
A round of pleasure? What's that when it's at home then? Can you order it like a take away?
Troy – I would expect nothing less from you!
Steve – I think it may be golf.
Bet he was Presbyterian to boot!I`m dying to know what he`s got to say about the Menopause!I wonder if the word `asylum` will be in there somewhere!lol
Hooted with laughter at reading this! I think Nana is right too…..
Nana – my next selection will be about hysteria in women: I think you're dead right about him haha!
Libby – as you can see, Nana has hit the nail on the head.
Oh that is JUST hilarious. I too wondered about a round of pleasure, he surely wasn't suggesting……… was he?
Those Victorian people were very sensible sometimes. I am sorry to say I completely agree. As I get older I find the whole period period very difficult to deal with. Both in terms of logistics (none of that teen spotting to be had, it's the female equivalent of a Monsoon season) and just that it makes me dreadfully tired. Seriously just going up the stairs at work on days 1&2 is hard work. So how could I be expected to indulge in excessive gaiety let alone Lawn Tennis. I would struggle with that excitement on a normal day. PS can I send you a list of ailments? A new weekly Blog Post 'Dear Aunty Gone To' : Today my fellow reader asked me if I know the best way to solve her trapped wind problem….
Wylie Girl – heavens I don't think that was probably allowed!
Kelloggsville – you know I think you may have something here. We are all laughing at the idea of restricting our boating and gaiety but you're right: I only get through the week with a cocktail of medicines and yes, I'm often very tired too so if rest is best then I'm happy to do just that!
"Aunty Gone to" has had a look at trapped wind, courtesy of Dr McGregor and he suggests hot cloths or bags of hot salt be applied over the belly, castor oil to be taken and a large injection of warm water up the rectum. 15 drops of laudanum (opium) may also be given.
My husband would prescribe Buscopan.
Ps – Kelloggsville – have just asked the doc again and he's gone all complementary on me, suggesting peppermint instead.
I shall sign up and await the wisdom of the menopausal musings 🙂
No bathing? Get thee behind me! Suppose he means swimming. Who in the Presbetyrian god's name would do it cold? Oh yes – Victorians. Strange breed. Funny how their ideas still persist to this day on so many other subjects. Can't wait for the next installment – will probably be considered a hysterical female after reading.
Auntie Gwen and Madame SG – next installment due shortly, hysterical women!
Looking at the book, I think the 'no bathing' rule did mean baths, not just swimming. I can't be entirely sure, but in a section on dealing with painful periods, it suggests a warm bath 'a couple of days before the illness is due'!
Aww that was going so well, what with not having to get out of bed and do any housework, but no social gatherings? Actually, thinking on… does that mean that taking a bottle of medicinal wine to bed is OK?
My cycle has just rapidly reduced…
Very Bored – wine in bed is just what the doctor ordered. Oh hang on, no it isn't.
"It is too common to attempt to relieve the feeling of depression or exhaustion by stimulants. They cannot supply the place of appropriate nourishment, and are apt to lead to bad habits"
Awww we're really such weak and feeble little things, aren't we! Love the monthly illness, although some women have it so tough each month it might just as well be considered as such.
I blast mine with chemicals. Got it well to heel! 🙂
Sarah – I think that's what sounds so odd – the bossy approach telling you what you can't do, rather than today's idea of carrying on as normal if you feel well enough.
I find I need three drugs to keep mine in order otherwise I would be resting for a week too!
LOL!! Can't wait to read more from this good Dr. MacGregor…
Have to say that the idea of retiring to my bed with books and hot chocolate in the winter or the sunchair still with books and a cocktail in the summer is quite appealing!
Or would said hot chocolate and cocktail be considered as a round of pleasure or gaiety too??
Funky wellies – I'm sure Dr McG disapproves of anything that gives pleasure, though he likes mikly drinks so you're probably ok with the hot chocolate.
This is pure gold!! I'm almost tempted to actually read my 1898 Sunlight Year Book!
Soozx – You have a Sunlight Year Book? I think you should read it, it could be enlightening!
New follower and I thought this was hysterical, so I can't wait for the section on hysterical women. My monthly period was a huge, gigantic disaster from the beginning and fortunately for me was ended surgically when I was 35. I was usually confined to bed and pretty much incapable of functioning. I'll be interested in the menopause section too as I've gone through that TWICE (once when they took all my parts and again when I got in my 50's). And I think a bottle of wine would be allowed, as nowadays it's considered good for you.
Carla – welcome! Pull up a chair and I'll put the kettle on, or I think, under the circumstances, a bottle of wine is more appropriate. You have my sympathies – periods have been nothing but trouble for me too but from what you say, yours sound far more hideous. Dr McGregor's advice to lie down and avoid tennis seems just right.
I wrote a post on "Hysterical women" a day or two after this one: you can find it by clicking on the title on the right.
"no work requiring any strain should be undertaken."
I'm going to frame this sentence!
ha ha! Some of this stuff is too hilarious for words. Remember the early treatments for 'hysterical women' — First we had manual stimulation of the genitals by the doctor until the patient experienced "hysterical paroxysm" The only problem was that physicians did not enjoy the tedious task of vaginal massage (generally referred to as 'pelvic massage'). The technique was difficult for a physician to master and it could take hours to achieve "hysterical paroxysm." By 1870, a clockwork-driven vibrator was available for physicians. In 1873, the first electromechanical vibrator was used at an asylum in France for the treatment of hysteria.
I wonder if they are going to introduce this scheme on the NHS? For ladies too lazy to induce their own hysterical paroxysms at home?
Jacq – a good idea isn't it!
Emma – I wrote my post on hysterical women a few days after this – you'll find my 1907 doctor preferred a different approach! For me, a free precription rather than a costly trip to Ann Summers sounds like a fine idea.