How to Groom Yourself, c. 1200

Walters Art Museum, W.105 "Let your hair be combed, and your haircut be equally neat. If you are shaggy, have your hairy beard trimmed back. If your eyes are watery, consult a doctor. Let your hands be clean, your sleeves laced up. Don’t...

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How to Cure Tooth Problems, 1673

Jan Miense Molenaer, The Dentist (1629)"Take the Powder of double refined Sugar, and Powder of White Pepper of each alike, being melted in a Brazen or Copper Ladle, make it up into small Balls, and hold them between your Teeth, and it giveth...

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How to Keep Your Cat, c. 1470

Cat Churning Butter, 14th c.Yale, Beinecke MS 404, f. 148r"If you have a good cat and you don't want to lose it, you must rub its nose and four legs with butter for three days, and it will never leave the house."The Distaff GospelsThis trick...

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How to Play with a Cat, 1658

How to make dainty sport with a Cat.Mildly Grumpy CatEdward Topsell, The History of Four-FootedBeasts (1607)☞ "If you will have some sport with a Cat, then get a little Bel, such as the tame Hawkes have at their legs, and tye the Bell something...

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