From rags to riches

Author(s): R. Hawthorne - Pages: 34–37

Abstract

This paper describes the history of female sanitary protection. The author discusses the use of rags as washable napkins, the introduction of sanitary towels made of cotton shoddy in the nineteenth century and finally the development of surgical cotton tampons. Women’s personal accounts of their experiences are quoted and manufacturer’s advertisements are reproduced.

Keywords: history, sanitary towels, surgical cotton tampons.