History trip

[MinorityView]

Just read The Cider House Rules by John Irving. Much of the book takes place in an apple orchard and these sections of the book are based on his own early experiences working in apple orchards in Maine.

So, here we are in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, and the orchard is sprayed from spring to fall, constantly. They do use rudimentary safety measures, but the spray spreads far and wide and everyone is living in a mist of the crap.

The man who owns the orchard develops Alzheimer's. He dies after a while. Then his wife who has actually run the orchard for many years suddenly develops a fast cancer and is dead in a few months.

No mentions of polio in the book, but I can see why it was more common in the summer. Insane!

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

amazing what people don't see, eh???

I'm wondering if I can make a duplicate of this thread to put in the book review forum...

[MinorityView]

I don't know that much about how the forum works. But I could just copy the post and start another thread in the book review forum.

There was also a lot of stuff about obstetrics in the book. Ugh, they shaved the women before they delivered babies and also did enemas. Not to mention the birth position with the feet up in the air and women being left alone during labor and then given ether during delivery.

It was an interesting historical snapshot of attitudes on a lot of stuff.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Some time, I will put up some stuff on sprays and the "controversy" over it during the times of the polio epidemics...

History is fascinating. I'm glad you love history... :D

[MinorityView]

Me too! History has been one of my greatest pleasures.

[cartersmom]

Some time, I will put up some stuff on sprays and the "controversy" over it during the times of the polio epidemics...

History is fascinating. I'm glad you love history... :D


I find it fascinating that this possibility was never pursued....it seems such an obvious connection when you learn about it.