I couldn't resist trying to find out why anyone would have used brandy on the baby's head. Apparently, from Henry Allbutt’s “Every Mother’s Handbook” (1897), the author stands against this practice: “Again, some nurses add brandy or other spirits to the water in which a baby is first washed. Or if they don’t do this, they wash the baby’s head with the brandy, for the purpose they say, of strengthening it. Now, this is decidedly improper and must never be done, because the spirit evaporates very rapidly, and quickly produces a sensation of cold, which is both unpleasant and injurious to a newly-born child, by depriving it of some of its natural heat.”
So funny. Brandy was a big hit in my family. Stomach ache? Break out the brandy. Head ache? More brandy, please. There was almost nothing a bit of brandy couldn't make better. Now I see where it might have come from. Thanks for sharing this.
I think I have that and the one for husbands buried somewhere on my bookshelves too. I'll have to dig them out at some point and see if they drive me to draw something funny. Thanks for reading.
I couldn't resist trying to find out why anyone would have used brandy on the baby's head. Apparently, from Henry Allbutt’s “Every Mother’s Handbook” (1897), the author stands against this practice: “Again, some nurses add brandy or other spirits to the water in which a baby is first washed. Or if they don’t do this, they wash the baby’s head with the brandy, for the purpose they say, of strengthening it. Now, this is decidedly improper and must never be done, because the spirit evaporates very rapidly, and quickly produces a sensation of cold, which is both unpleasant and injurious to a newly-born child, by depriving it of some of its natural heat.”
Who knew?
Thanks -- so fun!
So funny. Brandy was a big hit in my family. Stomach ache? Break out the brandy. Head ache? More brandy, please. There was almost nothing a bit of brandy couldn't make better. Now I see where it might have come from. Thanks for sharing this.
😂😂 loved it. Don’t feel the need to wash your baby’s head with brandy. If no brandy is at hand, there are other options, equally strong.
True. Vodka must clean a baby's head just as well. I know it did wonders for mine.
Oh, my! Delightful. There's also a "Rules For Wives"--apparently same publisher--that I have somewhere. That one's moderately saner.
I think I have that and the one for husbands buried somewhere on my bookshelves too. I'll have to dig them out at some point and see if they drive me to draw something funny. Thanks for reading.
I have 'for Wives' and 'for Husbands' from that series - with the same partially wise, partially hilariously outdated tips!
These little books must be the reason people stayed married longer in the 1800s - something to laugh at.
Quite FABulous! Lots of curious drinking (alcohol) admonishments.....
This was just delightful, Orli. Thank you.