Review: Turpentine for tummy trouble? An entertaining look at Victorian-era parenting advice.
There was once a time, writes the historian Therese Oneill, when “parents were not enslaved to the whims of ultra-confident toddlers.” There was no counting to three, no half-hearted threats to suspend iPad privileges. “You simply told him to act and he did, respectfully.” This golden, pre-permissive-parenting idyll, it turns out, predates not only electronic devices, but household electricity itself.
Not really, as it turns out. In “Ungovernable: The Victorian Parent’s Guide to Raising Flawless Children,” Oneill delves into the era’s highly dubious child-rearing practices.
In the chapter detailing health maintenance, it’s surprising the already appalling child mortality rate of the period wasn’t even higher, given the ways well-meaning parents could kill their offspring with the popular remedies of the day — a gulp of turpentine for constipation, a dose of the deadly poison strychnine for palsy, a dollop of ground tin to expel intestinal worms.
Oneill warns early in the book that she wrote it to entertain and inform, and would only address, but not dwell on, how miserable that era was for so many children. When she does veer from the snark, however, it’s welcome. Explaining Victorians’ avoidance of fresh fruits and vegetables and reliance on brandy for their children, she writes that “plain” food, inadvertently made safe through alcohol or rigorous boiling, were the smartest choices to feed a child.
इंडिया ताज़ा खबर, इंडिया मुख्य बातें
Similar News:आप इससे मिलती-जुलती खबरें भी पढ़ सकते हैं जिन्हें हमने अन्य समाचार स्रोतों से एकत्र किया है।
UK reviewing status of 17 F-35s after Japan crashThe British Ministry of Defence is in close touch with U.S. officials and review...
और पढो »
Trump calls Mueller investigation 'attempted takedown,' Barr says 'spying' needs to be investigatedLawmaker: 'Did Bob Mueller support your conclusion' on obstruction of justice? 'I don't know whether Bob Mueller supported my conclusion,' Bill Barr says.
और पढो »
Trump calls Mueller investigation 'attempted coup,' Barr says 'spying' needs to be investigated'I think we need somebody like a Mueller to like at the other side,' Sen. Lindsey Graham tells ABC News. 'What are the rules of a counterintelligence investigation when it comes to a presidential campaign? Are there any?'
और पढो »
Alexa is always listening — and so are Amazon workersIt's not just Alexa listening when you talk to her. Sometimes Amazon workers might be tuning in as well, the company confirmed on Thursday.
और पढो »
China starts review of anti-dumping measures on U.S. distillers grainsChina's Ministry of Commerce confirmed it is starting a review on Monday of...
और पढो »
Review: Ariana Grande at Coachella was not the pop star we neededSloppy and without a strong story, Ariana Grande's disappointing performance came across as hollow spectacle.
और पढो »
Review | Hands on with Samsung’s Galaxy Fold: Make peace with a creaseThe first folding smartphone is finally about to arrive, and our tech columnist answers some critical questions about what's good — and bad.
और पढो »
Review | This new fast-casual shop serves the gratifying Chinese wrap that beats anything from ChipotleReview: This new fast-casual shop serves the gratifying Chinese wrap that beats anything from Chipotle
और पढो »