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Post by mrfatso on Nov 23, 2012 12:27:24 GMT
I am not asking if clothes where stored in Garderobes, there is too much evidence that they where, but what I am intrested in is did it actually work. I was Reading a book that stated this was the case, but showed no evidence for it,and it just got me thinking is it true?
By that I mean the idea that the smell given off would keep insects away, but surely sone types are attracted to smells like that. Or is it a certain type, like the moth that eat holes clothes that would be driven off?
Does anyone have any thoughts
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Post by freegan on Nov 23, 2012 14:21:07 GMT
"Ammonia works against insect infestations in at least two ways. First, the strong smell overwhelms and kills exposed bugs. Second, the alkali chemical can damage insect exoskeletons with prolonged exposure which will kill them." Source. |
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Post by the light works on Nov 23, 2012 15:33:17 GMT
having been around poorly maintained outhouses, I find that counterintuitive...
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Post by freegan on Nov 23, 2012 17:26:29 GMT
having been around poorly maintained outhouses, I find that counterintuitive... Perhaps the adequate ventilation in outhouses is a factor in preventing the vapors from accumulating to insecticidal levels. Some of the online recipes for ammonia based insecticides seem to be quite concentrated and I, too, suspect that a garderobe with sufficient ammonia in the air would also be intolerable to humans. |
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Post by the light works on Nov 23, 2012 17:30:34 GMT
one of those cases where the garderobe doubled as a closet for other reasons, and someone developed a pet theory, and went looking for evidence to fit the theory?
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Post by mrfatso on Nov 23, 2012 17:46:34 GMT
That is pretty much what I was thinking myself, thanks for the input, freegan and thelightworks.
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Post by freegan on Nov 23, 2012 18:06:29 GMT
Given that the Irish have a wicked sense of humor and that some of you may visit Ireland, it may be worth mentioning, as an aside, that the Blarney Stone is claimed by many to be a part of the latrine section of the castle's garderobe.
Sort of adds a different slant on the phrase 'kissed the Blarney Stone' (meaning 'full of --it'). ;D
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