It may be apocryphal, but I've heard from a variety of folk sources that
Native Americans and early settlers used sphagnum moss for diapers,
menstrual pads, and bandages.

Nina S-R

>>> [log in to unmask] 06/08/05 06:33PM >>>
Native Americans of the Great Lakes area in the through the mid 18th
century would stuff their cradle boards with the flower from a cat tail
shoot. ope this sheds another idea on the subject


love, annmarie


-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Catherine Bluder <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Wed, 8 Jun 2005 13:38:34 -0400
Subject: Re: 18th Century diapers


When I visited St. Mary's City, Maryland many years ago, the
interpreter
at the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation had a toddler with him attired
only
in a shift - no diaper underneath. I remember that he explained a
little
about 17th century toilet training, but I don't remember what he said.
Perhaps someone there still has this information? Their web site is
www.stmaryscity.org.

Good luck, sounds interesting.

Mary Catherine Bluder
America On Wheels
Allentown, PA

On Tue, 7 Jun 2005 16:12:03 -0400, Cascio, Chris
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Oh the strange requests on the old "L-List"!  I am working on an
exhibition
>on hygiene in the 18th Century and I am having difficulty finding
some
>information on the construction of diapers or baby napkins.
>
>
>

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