Cseri Miklós, Füzes Endre (szerk.): Ház és ember, A Szabadtéri Néprajzi Múzeum évkönyve 16. (Szentendre, Szabadtéri Néprajzi Múzeum, 2003)
JUHÁSZ KATALIN: A famelencétől a fürdőszobáig. Adalékok a paraszti tisztálkodás eszközkészletének és helyének változásához a 20. század első felében
FROM THE WOODEN WASH-BOWL TO THE BATHROOM Data to the changes of the accessories and place of personal hygiene of peasants in the first half of the 20 ,h century During the process of the peasantry's raising to the middle-stand status, a complex change of culture takes place. Significant elements of this change include a complete transformation of the dwelling house, interiors, lifestyle and mentality. The process can be well followed-up in the change of the hygienic habits. Archaic hygienic habits of the peasantry, as still prevailing in the 19 th century, remain at the beginning of the 20 th century only in the most backward layers of society. The use of natural water sources, the economic use of water and the "environment-friendly" way of washing oneself required a typical body technique. The living conditions, as well as the complicated laundering of the archaic linen clothing didn't allow - and didn't require a more thorough and more often personal cleaning. The frequency of washing depended on the season too. Only special occasions - such as festive days, birth or sickness - required a bath at home, often giving the bath a magicritual dimension. Living together tightly, as well as the living conditions in the house didn't allow the creation of a secluded space, or of a permanent place for the personal hygiene. New hygienic habits were spread at the turn of the 19 th —20 th century thanks to an institutional informative campaign. A more differentiated use of utensils and space is introduced. More and more households purchase from the beginning of the 20 th century metal pails and buckets for carrying and storing water, washstands and wash-bowls produced as mass products and the use of soap becomes general. Beside the homemade linen towels ready-made towels were bought or the fabric was purchased and the towels stitched at home. A washing place was identified in the smoke-free kitchen or sometimes in the room, and furnished with the mentioned items. Although there was no change in the water supply, people used to wash up more often and more regularly. Moreover, the personal cleanliness became a moral obligation. Washing twice a day, and washing from top to bottom once a week became the norm between the two world wars. The washing took place in seclusion. Middle-stand citizens in towns and the village elite used to practice a daily washing from top to bottom either in a bathroom with running water or in a completely secluded place in the first half of the 20 th century. The middle-stand model of hygiene required higher water consumption, the use of a variety of utensils and products for the personal hygiene and was followed by environmental pollution. The process of rising into middle-stand is always relative and not a steady process. No border can be drawn between its phases. Numerous variations between the acceptance of new cultural elements and the preserving of old ones can be observed. Well-to-do or more progressed social strata took the lead and set a good example in the introduction of new habits. The degree of progress of a person or family is shown by the fact, whether the novelties are really used or only purchased for representative purposes.
