Welcome again to History Undressed, guest authors, Karen Harris and Lori Caskey-Sigety! Here is another great article that Harris and Caskey-Sigety have recently penned from their new non-fiction book, The Medieval Vagina: An Hysterical and Historical Look at All Things Vaginal During the Middle Ages, now available on Amazon. Please enjoy another one of their fascinating articles--guaranteed to entertain!
Medieval-Style Douching
We have textual
evidence that tells us women have douched since ancient times. This we
must balance with the idea that women in medieval times bathed
infrequently…very infrequently! Does that tell us that medieval maidens were
concerned about the not-so-fresh feeling in their nether regions? Did they want
to please their lovers with perfumed vaginas, while turning a blind eye (or
nose) to sweat, body odor, and stinky breath? Probably not. Women in the middle
ages douched, but they did it for different reasons than women today. And, of
course, they used whatever douching agent was handy, rather than douching with
store-bought, pre-packaged, applicator-included products.
First, we will
tackle the “why” questions. Ancient medical texts tell us that women were
advised to douche to cure vaginal infections. But folk remedies and
word-of-mouth medical advice handed down by wiser, older women told us that they douched to wash away their lovers’ pus in hopes of preventing sexually
transmitted diseases, which we know ran rampant in the pre-antibiotic Middle
Ages. Medieval prostitutes and women of loose morals were even advised to
douche after sex to “wash away” the semen and prevent pregnancy…sort of an early
version of the morning-after pill.
Next, the
“what”. Ancient Egyptian scrolls
revealed that women used a mixture of garlic and wine to douche. Of course, the
old standby of vinegar and water was used as well. It was discovered early on
that any type of mildly acidic liquid could be an effective douching agent. Olive
oil, pomegranate pulp, tobacco juice, ginger water, acacia could all double as
a douching agent. As could honey, lemon or lime juice, cedar oil, and
frankincense.
Lastly, the “wow”
factor. En vogue in the Middle Ages was vaginal fumigation. This treatment was
often medically prescribed and assumed to be a means of curing yeast
infections, cervical cancer, urinary tract infections, and menstrual cramps.
Water mixed with herbs was boiled in a special vessel with a long tube
protruding from it. The hot steam was forced through the tube which was inserted
into the vagina of the patient. Vaginal fumigation is a perfect example of the
cure being worse than the disease. Women no doubt suffered from burns and
damage to the delicate skin of their vaginas, which could easily lead to more
infections. And when we remember that medical instruments like vaginal
fumigators were not sterilized between each use, we can see how easily
infections might spread.
To sum up, medieval women personally
(and professionally, if you were a prostitute) went to various lengths, ranging
from home remedies in the kitchen to prescribed vaginal fumigation, in futile
attempts to cure venereal diseases and prevent pregnancy. These “cures” were
all ancient and medieval women had to rely on before cleanliness and personal
hygiene came into being.
In the Middle Ages much like today, the vagina conjured fear and repulsion, yet it held an undeniable allure. In the Medieval Vagina, the authors explore this paradox while unearthing medieval myths, attitudes and contradictions surrounding this uniquely feminine and deeply mysterious organ.
What euphemisms did medieval people have for
the vagina? Did medieval women use birth control? How was rape viewed in the
Middle Ages? How was the vagina incorporated into literature, poetry, music, and
art? How did medieval women cope with menstruation? The Medieval Vagina delves into these topics, and others, while
introducing the reader to a collection of fascinating medieval women – Pope
Joan, Lady Frances Howard, Margery Kempe, Sister Benedetta Carlini, and
Chaucer’s Wife of Bath – who all shaped our view of the medieval vagina.
The Medieval Vagina takes a quick-paced, humorous peek into the medieval world; a time when religious authority combined with newly emerging science and medicine, classic literature, and folklore to form a deeply patriarchal society. It may have been a man’s world, but the vagina triumphed over oppression and misogyny.
Website:
snarkpublishing.weebly.com
Author Bios:
Karen Harris is a college instructor by day and a writer by
night. Writing offers Karen a chance to dabble in her other areas of interest,
including history and science. She has written numerous freelance articles and
feature stories for publication. She is a hobby farmer, environmental
volunteer, and advocate for volunteer firefighters.
Lori Caskey-Sigety started writing in 1991. She hasn’t
stopped. Her writing includes blogs, book reviews, essays, lyrics, plays,
poems, and puppet shows. Lori has authored two poetry books, and her other
works have appeared in Wildfire Magazine, Orlo, Indiana Libraries, and Public
Libraries. She is an artist, college instructor, librarian, and musician.
Book Description:
In the Middle Ages much like today, the vagina conjured fear and repulsion, yet it held an undeniable allure. In the Medieval Vagina, the authors explore this paradox while unearthing medieval myths, attitudes and contradictions surrounding this uniquely feminine and deeply mysterious organ.
The Medieval Vagina takes a quick-paced, humorous peek into the medieval world; a time when religious authority combined with newly emerging science and medicine, classic literature, and folklore to form a deeply patriarchal society. It may have been a man’s world, but the vagina triumphed over oppression and misogyny.
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