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Historian Explores the Evolution of Personal Hygiene

Faiza Elmasry

   WASHINGTON - Frequenthand-washingwith soap and water for at least 20
   secondsis recommendedby health experts to help prevent exposure to
   COVID-19.Thatisexactly what many people do these days. But while
   washing hands and bathing signifiespersonal hygiene in our time, itwas
   notalways the case.

   Louis XIVof France, for example,is saidto havetakenonly two baths in
   his adult lifetime--bothtimes recommended by his doctors.The king had
   headaches,and his doctors thought bathing would help cure the
   condition.Itdid not,andhe never bathed again.

   The hygiene rituals of Louis XIV and other historical figures are
   recounted inthenew book"The Clean Body: A Modern History"by Peter
   Ward.Thehistory professor emeritus at the University of British
   Colombiaexploresthe transformation of body care habits in the West over
   thepast four centuries.

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