(Medicine). (Koltun Polish). JOURNAL der practischen Heilkunde.

(Medicine). (Koltun Polish). JOURNAL der practischen Heilkunde.

Herausegegen von C. W. Hufeland. XLIX Band. Berlin 1819. gedruckt und verlegt bei G. Reimer. 8, pp. [2], 57, [1], binding pperg. contemporary.
Good condition, no. traces of staining on pages, copy uncut. A medical journal, containing an article on "Polish koltun". Plica polonica - "Polish koltun", also known as "nail", "goźdźc" or "bundle", a bundle of hair on the head glued together with sebum and exudate, formed as a result of lack of hygiene or failure to use a brush or comb; the formation of a koltun was also fostered by the wearing of hats, which was common among peasants. Old medical superstitions forbade cutting off the quilt for fear of negative health effects; wearing it was supposed to protect against disease and the devil. Sometimes a quilt was grown on purpose by rubbing the hair vigorously and thereby uncombed, causing it to become frizzy - in this case it is not related to hygienic negligence. An old quilt of this kind can be compared to dreadlocks; such deliberately grown quilts were worn in Pinsk and Mazovia as late as the beginning of the 19th century.