Thursday, September 23, 2010
A Drink of Water, Victorian-style
What did people do before taps and water bottles?
* They installed cisterns and spouts, since rainwater was considered to be purer than even spring water.
* Location was important. As early as 1860, health officials warned that cisterns and wells should be kept away from sink drains, barnyards, and decayed animals.
* Lead pipes, however, were considered dangerous only if the water was very pure. However, if water contained certain neutral salts, it barred lead's harmful effects. Lead poisoning could be detected by a characteristic blue line on the edge of the front teeth's gums.
* Drinking water with decaying vegetable matter was once assumed to be safe, due to the protective action of gastric juices.
* Many sewers at that time emptied into the local river, also the source for municipal drinking water.
BLEH!
* They installed cisterns and spouts, since rainwater was considered to be purer than even spring water.
* Location was important. As early as 1860, health officials warned that cisterns and wells should be kept away from sink drains, barnyards, and decayed animals.
* Lead pipes, however, were considered dangerous only if the water was very pure. However, if water contained certain neutral salts, it barred lead's harmful effects. Lead poisoning could be detected by a characteristic blue line on the edge of the front teeth's gums.
* Drinking water with decaying vegetable matter was once assumed to be safe, due to the protective action of gastric juices.
* Many sewers at that time emptied into the local river, also the source for municipal drinking water.
BLEH!
at 1:54 AM
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