Health and Hygiene

Artifacts can give an insight into the health and hygiene practices that were present, or absent, at a site. Items such as medicine bottles, toiletry items for washing, and other evidence of cleanliness, are physical evidence of hygiene practices. The absence of such artifacts can be evidence that these practices were lacking. At Fort Pulaski, a few items point toward hygiene. Additionally, evidence of laundry in the Mechanics’ Kitchen shows that work clothes were cleaned, which would help to prevent sickness. However, the overall lack of items shows that while a few people had access to hygiene products and personal medicine, no group of workers were overly equipped with medical and health items. This could be because germ theory and the causes of disease were not well understood at this point in history. It is also possible that the artifacts are simply not in these locations and exist elsewhere.

All hygiene items were found in mechanics’ areas, further evidence for the class differences between mechanics and laborers. The absence of health artifacts in the laborers’ quarter points to the laborers not having the same level of access to medicines and hygiene products as the mechanics. Historical records detail that workers were provided medical care when necessary. However, personal hygiene items that might prevent sickness were absent from the archeological record in laborers’ areas.

Historical documents, like an 1841 letter from Captain Mansfield, help archeologists understand the history of medicine and disease on Cockspur Island. In this letter, Mansfield asks for additional medicine, specifically quinine used to treat malaria. He argues that the laborers cannot afford medication on their own, so the government should provide this medicine to keep the labor force. This shows that while medical care was provided to laborers, they may have had to provide some medicines themselves, and did not have easy access to getting medical help. It is not clear whether this letter distinguishes between laborers and mechanics or whether all workers are lumped together.

 

NPS/Matera

This is the only glass fragment that was positively identified as a medicine bottle. Archeologists used the remaining letters embossed into the bottle's side to determine this is F. Brown’s Essence of Jamaica Ginger, one of the most popular general medicines throughout the nineteenth century. Philadelphia druggist Frederick Brown introduced this medicine in 1822 and patented it in 1858, and it supposedly cured everything from a headache to flatulence. As this medicine was 75 to 90% alcohol, it was also used as a cheap source of alcohol.

 

NPS/Matera

Toothbrushes, like the piece shown at left, were originally made from animal bone, and had boar or horsehair bristles. This toothbrush head fragment was found in the Mechanics’ Quarter. Toothbrushes and oral hygiene were not common in this time. The first mass produced toothbrush was in England in 1780. An American patent did not come until 1857. The daily routine of brushing teeth and oral hygiene did not become popular until after World War II when soldiers, who acquired a strict hygiene discipline in the military, arrived home. Finding this toothbrush indicates that at least one mechanic was ahead of the game and took care of his teeth.

 

This chamber pot handle was found in the Mechanics’ Quarter. Chamber pots could be fairly expensive and were unlikely to be provided by the army to workers. Whoever owned this chamber pot brought their own and was able to relieve themselves inside rather than go outside to a privy during the night, unlike the other workers. Although no privy locations have been found, it is possible that they were not located very close to quarters, making the trip to and from not ideal, especially if weather conditions were bad.

 

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