Comb
Description
This comb, made from wood, still retains a number of its teeth. Hygiene was a major problem on board eighteenth century warships. With livestock aboard, the ship’s rats and the addition of pressed landsmen in the crew, fleas and lice were a constant source of irritation for, officers and crewmen alike. Some men tarred their long hair to keep fleas out. Rats infested with insects could be dangerous to a ships company. Gnats and fleas produce many local effects including pain, itching, swelling and redness, as well as carrying diseases. As late as 1810 it was estimated that 50 percent of the navy’s casualties were caused by disease.
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Object Detail
Width: 50mm
Depth: 2mm (1/16")