The Matron's Inspection

[Fitzsadou]

Each junior had a bath once a week

One result of the unavailability of a daily bath, meant that it was a great privilege at CH.

Something similar for me was the privilege of eating the crust of the loaf. Since there were relatively few crusts, because CH loaves were about four times the length of those of today, they were highly desired. The junior monitors, who sat at the juniors’ end of the house dining table, controlled the cutting of bread and general discipline there. So they could eat the crusts if they wished. I have had a life long appreciation of bread crusts which will probably continue for as long as I have teeth. Since this arose from exerting power as a junior monitor, it is not to my credit (even if the crusts did make my hair curl, in those days when I had hair).

[michael scuffil]

Hygiene in those days was poor to a degree that can only be described as appalling. My wife, listening to stories about CH, says she can approve of much of the Spartan outlook, but finds the fact that we could not (or at least did not) wash our private areas daily and thoroughly quite disgusting. (Ditto underwear changed once weekly.)

The Matron, of course, only checked hands, feet, knees and necks.

Crikey Michael, what percentage of the world's children does your wife think wash their private bits every day??? I don't think CH was much different then (or now) to any other children's institution.

I don't know about the world's children. But most European and North American teenagers today shower once a day, and I hope they take the opportunity to wash more than their face and hands.

Personally I hate showers (maybe because I was unable to familiarize myself with them at CH) but I have the privacy to wash all over (which I didn't then).

[J.R.]

A propos of baths, in the summer when the weather was warm, the bath was filled with cold water first thing in the morning and cold baths were a voluntary adjunct to our morning hygiene.

Absolutely COMPULSORY in my day !

[sejintenej]

Hygiene in those days was poor to a degree that can only be described as appalling..

OK so she has never had to share a tin bath filled from the kettle in a crowded kitchen lit by gas lamps and no heating. CH was a relative heaven.

Crikey Michael, what percentage of the world's children does your wife think wash their private bits every day??? I don't think CH was much different then (or now) to any other children's institution.

Given the shortage of water in much of the lesser developed world where water has to be carried miles on womens' heads ......... Don't forget that we lived to a rigid timetable where washing in the morning was impossible - up at 6.55, dress, fold blankets, sheets etc and arch the mattress for inspection by 7.05 and ready for parade 7.15. (Later on I had to be in the Dining Hall by 7.05 together with the team). The evenings were not much better

I don't know about the world's children. But most European and North American teenagers today shower once a day, and I hope they take the opportunity to wash more than their face and hands.

Unfortunately I know of one EU country where all the pomade etc still does not overcome the smell of the great unwashed