In the past, there were horrific and dangerous jobs that are hard to imagine today. Due to the lack of technology or equipment, people had to do dirty and dangerous work themselves. We will explore 15 disgusting and unsanitary jobs that existed in the past, though they are rarely seen today.

Vomit Cleaner

During the Roman era, luxurious feasts filled with lavish food and drink were all the rage. However, behind the festive atmosphere lurked a dark shadow - the vomit cleaner. Roman citizens, their bellies full, would intentionally induce vomiting to make room for more food, and vomit cleaners were tasked with cleaning up after them. This job, which makes you feel nauseous just thinking about it, would have been even more horrifying given the sanitation conditions of the time.

Toilet Attendant

In the past, even when using the toilet, monarchs did not go alone. The toilet attendant was a close confidant who assisted the monarch with their bowel movements. While it was a repulsive task, it was also a desirable position due to the opportunity to gain the monarch's trust. Toilet attendants witnessed the monarch's private life firsthand and could exert considerable influence.

Violin Maker

Today, violin strings are made using machines, but in the past, they were made by hand by weaving sheep's intestines into fibers. Even skilled artisans had to perform arduous tasks in a smelly and unpleasant environment. This sacrifice is hidden behind the beautiful music of the violin.

Rat Catcher

In the 1800s, rats were seen as the main culprits in spreading disease. Rat catchers played a crucial role in protecting cities from disease by catching rats in dangerous and unpleasant environments. Professional rat catchers sometimes caught rats with their bare hands, and the various methods of catching rats made their lives even more perilous.

Match Factory Worker

Match factory workers were often exposed to toxic chemicals like phosphorus and sulfur, which damaged their health. "Phosphorous necrosis" in particular, a terrifying disease where the jawbone rots and falls off, instilled fear among match factory workers. With a lack of safety equipment, match factories were dangerous workplaces where health was sacrificed.

Bone Picker

During the Victorian era, bones were used for making necklaces and other jewelry. Bone pickers dug up graves or scavenged animal carcasses to obtain bones. While unethical, it was a valuable source of income for the poor.

Tanner

Tanners performed the disgusting and dangerous task of processing animal hides. To soften the hides, they used lime and dog excrement, and the resulting stench and hazardous substances had severe health consequences.

Snake Milker

Snake milkers are a dangerous profession that extracts venom from snakes for use in antivenom production. They are constantly exposed to snake attacks, and mistakes can lead to fatal consequences. Snake milkers require courage and skilled techniques, as well as a deep understanding of snakes and composure.

Resurrectionist

During the 19th-century medical advancements, resurrectionists dug up graves to exhume corpses for scientific research. While illegal, it was a job pursued by those driven by a passion for scientific progress and economic gain.

Toshers

Toshers in Victorian London were people who searched sewers for reusable items to earn a living. They were at high risk of exposure to disease in unsanitary environments, but it was a vital source of livelihood for the poor.

Mudlark

Mudlarks were people who searched for reusable items in the polluted mud of the Thames River banks. They were mostly children between the ages of 8 and 15, and they endured difficult labor in a dangerous and unhealthy environment.

Chimney Sweep

Chimney sweeps were people with dangerous jobs cleaning narrow chimneys. Most were children who were exposed to suffocating soot and the risk of fire, posing serious threats to their health and safety.

Leech Collector

In 19th-century medicine, "bloodletting" was used to treat patients' illnesses. This method required leeches, which led to the emergence of leech collectors. It was an unpleasant and dangerous job, but it existed due to the medical needs of the time.

Pooper

Before modern sewage systems were introduced, poopers existed to deal with human excrement. They worked only at night, enduring difficult labor in a smelly and unsanitary environment.

Black Death Gravedigger

The Black Death was one of the deadliest plagues in European history, killing an estimated 200 million people. Black Death gravediggers were dangerous workers who buried those who died from the plague in mass graves, constantly exposed to the shadow of death.

Conclusion

We have looked at horrific and dangerous jobs from the past that are hard to imagine today. This history, which makes us appreciate the conveniences and safety of modern society, reminds us to remember the struggles of the past and strive for a better future.