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Do you know of any alternative approaches? Are you aware of any similar ones?

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• walt_nurse says:

  12 December | 18:59

  Although a citizen of the U.S.A. , my ancestors originally migrated from the U.K. , Ireland , and Scotland (Early 18th century , and mid 19th century). A practice and a story , which will soon fade to nothingness , which I recall from a very early age involves the use of onions as a prophylaxis against disease . During times of near epidermic disease (influenza and polio being but two examples) , family elders made sure that saucers containing onion slices were liberally positioned throughout the house . No single individual could remember the exact mechanism by which onion slices supposedly exerted their protective power , only that "It worked." , and "That's the way it's always been done ." . Recently I chanced to learn that during 17th century epidemics in London (cholera , salmonella , and the catch-all phrase "the vapors") , the deceased of families could not be buried in a timely fashion due to the shear number of dead . Consequently the bodies of dead family members were kept in the parlor (hence "pallor") , and surrounded by onion slices which were used to help mask the odor of early putrefaction . I suspect that although over the ensuing three centuries , the practice of using onion slices has continued , although the true origin of the "beneficial nature" has long since been forgotten . While trying to glean additional information on the subject , I "discovered" your wonderful "Channel 4" site . The words "onion" and "deodorant" were found linked on a "MedicineChest" comment , so I hope that you'll permit a bit of relevant tangential thought on my part - this involving "underarm deodorants" as follows : During an earlier stage of my life , I'd very much enjoyed communal living ... an extended family of dearly loved friends living together under one roof . It occurred to me that each person has a natural odor that is unique to that person alone , and that the individuals natural odor is both a means of identification and communication - Identification as an analogous function within many non-human communities , and communication as a function perhaps best exemplified by the sexually stereotypical noun "pheromone" . This conclusion has been drawn with the assumption that our human bodies are bathed or showered on a daily basis - otherwise "all bets are off" . It appears , or rather "smells" , that the bodies of our species have two distinct types of odor . One is the purely natural "primary" as described , and one is the odor that results from the bacterial action involving the break-down of the "primary's" lipid (waxy or "fatty") component . Although our bodies do indeed have a profoundly intense natural odor , I'm by no means alone in professing that as long as one maintains daily "soap and water" hygiene , our natural "scent" is in no way offensive ! That being said , I'll not get into the scientific data which oft times tends to suggest that the use of "chemical masks" is not in our collective "best interest" when viewed from a health-wise perspective , nor will I speculate on the socioeconomic drives behind the multi-billion pound/dollar industry that actually is so very effective in reduceing our natural ability to recognize and process information . Just as a suggestion applicable to both the established social norms within the workplace , and the bottom line "amount due" of the post-shopping list tab , I've found that a cupped handful of inexpensive rubbing alcohol , applied to the underarms after the daily shower , eliminates consciously detectable odor , while leaving the subliminal door open (You might be amazed at the new-found "awareness".) ... and sparing the bodily contact of a fairly lengthy list of chemicals which have been linked to everything from acne to Alzheimer's ! Also , while researching the natural and supernatural lore of the Scottish Highlands , I very serendipitously encountered a compilation entitled "A Helen Adam Reader" by Kirstin Prevallet , which was published in 2007 . Although I don't recall any specific mention of onions , this magnificent volume does portray the works of the balladeer as a gifted storyteller who disseminates folk information , health and otherwise , with chilling effect . Although not exactly sure as to why , I did somehow find it relevant to the theme of tales unwritten being passed on through time . Apologies are offered for being so long-winded . Any thoughts on the topic are most welcome . Thank you ! walt