
Dirt
A Social History as Seen Through the Uses and Abuses of Dirt
Terence McLaughlin(Author)
ECHO POINT BOOKS & MEDIA (Publisher)
Published on 17. August 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
194 pages
978-1-63561-946-1 (ISBN)
Description
Delve Into the Fascinating World of Dirt
Dirt is a matter of opinion, according to public health and hygiene authority Terence McLaughlin. In this engaging, thoroughly-researched, and often humorous study of the "imperfections" of human existence and our relationship to them, McClaughlin dissects human attitudes about the slime, mud, stench and filth which has accompanied society through history.
Our notion of cleanliness has a marked cultural aspect. For instance, McLaughlin cites Old Testament examples of cleanliness which, unbeknownst at the time, helped protect observant followers from the plague. The famous baths of ancient Rome were seen as progress for personal hygiene, and later scorned by Christians who rejected all things Roman. McLaughlin recites a long litany of examples of how we accept or reject substances, exploring why we dislike sensations such as stickiness and sliminess. Cultural attitudes about everything from factory smoke to personal hygiene are constantly shifting with the economic and political exigencies of the era.
In this age of pandemic viruses, there has never been a more important time to observe how people think about the possible contaminants around us. Dirt is a key resource for anyone wishing to understand humanity's role in shaping our environment.
This title is also available from Echo Point Books in hardcover, ISBN 1635619459.
More details
Edition
Reprint ed.
Language
English
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
252 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-63561-946-1 (9781635619461)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
12/2021
Echo Point Books & Media
€19.25
Available for download
Person
Terence McLaughlin (1928-1980) graduated university with a bachelor of science in chemistry and was employed as a research chemist at Unilever Corporation, achieving the post of company director. Subsequently he founded a consulting firm and began writing a series of scientific textbooks. Encouraged by his wife, Eve, a historian, he turned his attention to writing history and science books for the general public, becoming an authority on public health and hygiene. The present book (first published as Coprophilia) delves into the relationship humankind has had with dirt and cleanliness through the ages.