The provided text discusses a variety of historical jobs that were considered unpleasant or dangerous. These jobs range from the ancient Roman 'Sheryl Crow', a large wheel used for building construction, to the Victorian London 'rat catcher', who had to handle rats and potentially contract diseases. The text also mentions the 'Sin-Eater' in medieval England, who would absorb the sins of a person at their death, and the 'match girl', who worked in match factories and were exposed to harmful substances. Other jobs discussed include the 'Purity Seeker', who collected dog excrement for use as a softener in the leather industry, and the 'court dwarf', who would entertain royalty and make them appear taller.
Each of these jobs had its own unique set of challenges and risks. For instance, the 'Sheryl Crow' operator had to walk inside a large wheel to power a building crane, facing the risk of the wheel falling apart or the operator being unable to stop the wheel. The 'rat catcher' had to handle diseased rats and could potentially contract diseases themselves. The 'Sin-Eater' had to ingest the sins of the deceased, which could lead to eternal damnation. The 'match girl' was exposed to harmful phosphorus in the match factory, which could lead to serious health issues. The 'Purity Seeker' had to handle fecal matter, which could lead to health issues. The 'court dwarf' was often subjected to humiliation and had to live in constant proximity to the royalty.
Despite the challenges and risks, these jobs were essential in their respective historical contexts. They provided a glimpse into the harsh realities of life in different eras.
1. The text discusses various jobs from the past that were horrible or unpleasant, including the Sin-Eater, Rat Catcher, and the job of the turn of the stool.
2. Sin-Eaters were spiritual healers who absorbed the sins of a person to allow them a greater chance of entering Heaven.
3. Rat Catchers existed in Victorian London due to the common presence of rats. They played a crucial role in controlling the rat population and maintaining sanitary conditions.
4. The turn of the stool was a job invented to assist the king whenever the opportunity arose to spend a little quality time on his throne.
5. Hairdressers, also known as ornatrix, were in high demand in ancient Rome as they were responsible for the hairstyles of the women.
6. Thrashers were men who made their living by forcing their way into London's sewers at low tide and sometimes traversing those sewers for up to 16 hours at a time.
7. Match Girls were women and girls from 4 to 16 years old who made matchsticks in factories during the British Industrial Revolution.
8. Purity Seekers were individuals who collected dog excrement in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The excrement was used as a kind of softener.
9. Wool suppliers were involved in the process of making woolen garments. The fabric resulting from the common processes was very coarse with a fine mesh.