Explanation of the Social- Hygienic Function of Spittoon; a Historical- Museum Object in Iran
Tārīkh-i pizishkī i.e., Medical History,
Vol. 15 No. 48 (1402),
4 July 2023
,
Page 1-21
https://doi.org/10.22037/mhj.v15i48.39133
Abstract
Background and Aim: Spittoon is a container utilized by different people for spitting, nose blowing and dropping mucus throughout history. At present, due to the lack of public awareness on the historical record of social-hygienic function of spittoon, a cliché and negative glance has been formed toward the object and is called as an unhygienic one that often used by lazy people especially privileged classed in the society. Because of this negative glance and cliché toward spittoon, curators of the Treasury of National Jwelles refused to explain this object to the visitors and even mispronounced it for a long time.
Materials and Methods: The present article, written with a descriptive-analytical approach and a library and documentary method, seeks to challenge this stereotype based on Norbert Elias's "central theory"
Findings: It utters that in the past, due to the prevalence of infectious diseases; the spittoon had had a hygienic function and would use to respect social and personal decency. The aim of the study is to revise to the cliché formed toward the negative function of spittoon based on Norbert Elias theory. The main question of the present study is to clarify Why it has been formed a negative look at the present age toward the spittoon throughout history in despite of its Hygienic function? Also, relying on first-hand historical sources and unpublished documents in the National Jewelry Museum, to correct the phonetic and alphabetic form of this historical-museum work.
Conclusion: currently, due to the general public's lack of knowledge about the historical background, social and health function of Salafdan, a negative view has been formed towards this work and it is referred to as an unsanitary object that is used by lazy and lazy people in the society, especially Premium classes - used. Contrary to this stereotypical view of the negative function of salafdan, in the past this object had more of a health function and was used to prevent drooling due to the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and in order to comply with social norms
- Treasury of National Jewels
- Spittoon
- Social
- hygienic Function
How to Cite
References
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