Bloed, zweet en tranen

by Ruben Verwaal

Het menselijk lichaam is zo lek als een mandje. Het zweet, spuugt, piest, poept, bloedt en spuit. Juist die vloeibaarheid is essentieel voor ons leven en voor onze gezondheid. Zonder speeksel kunnen we ons eten niet doorslikken en verteren, zonder stollend bloed geen helende wonden, zonder vaginaal vocht en sperma geen voortplanting. Toch hebben we een problematische verhouding met onze lichaamssappen. We vinden pus, zweet en urine tegenwoordig al snel vies en onhygiënisch.
Maar dat is niet altijd het geval geweest. Hoe is dat zo gekomen?
Aan de hand van historische bronnen vertelt Ruben Verwaal in Bloed, zweet en tranen fascinerende en geestige verhalen over hoe in vroeger tijden over lichaamssappen werd gedacht en hoe ze in het dagelijks leven voor allerhande zaken werden gebruikt.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2023

Reviews

[Gijs Limonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 sterren; prima cultuur-historische beschouwing van ‘de vloeibare mens’ via de bespreking van enkele lichaamsvochten; het accent ligt op de culturele betekenis; het boek zou baat hebben bij een betere belichting van de beschikbare wetenschappelijke kennis over de verschillende vochten.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Please note this is a 3.5.

We really don’t spend long enough thinking about what juicy creatures humans are. We’re so very full of substances, and it’s really interesting to read a book that focuses in such a deep way on said substances.

I found this was a fascinating, if somewhat cursory (although I understand a PHD project comes with a word limit!) look into the world of the human body. While it’s not an overly scientific text, it follows the history of the stigma attached to a lot of bodily fluids, and it really does make for fascinating stuff.

I found the section on tears one of the most interesting, however, I did note that the whole of the book very much had a European bias to it. I understand why it did, but at the same time, I think it could have been a little more expanded to go outside of this slightly narrow lens. In addition, I wish there was a section on female sexual secretions, not just male ones- but I understand the author’s method in seeking out menstruation instead as a topic.

All in all, a very solid introduction to the topic of the taboos and intricacies through history of the human body- and a fascinating read.

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

De perfecte mix van vies en fascinerend, en dan ook nog eens ontzettend lekker geschreven. Ruben Verwaal zwiert door de medische geschiedenis: van aderlatingen en oorsmeerstudies tot piskijkers en moedermelkdrinkers. Een van mijn favoriete boeken dit jaar.

[Tanai ❾¾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC

3.5 but rounding up. I was waffling, but I rounded up upon reading the Afterword.

This book is exactly as titled. A history of bodily fluids (more than just blood, sweat, and tears, of course). I found it quite fascinating, even the scientific parts (and I’m definitely no scientist). Until the very end, I was debating a three star review. Why? Well, it’s very Eurocentric, and ‘Centurycentric’ (yes, I made that up). I was hoping for a broader cultural history, and also a broader timeline.

Since the author is from NL, a lot of the examples and references given are naturally from the surrounding regions. Don’t get me wrong, it’s all still interesting. I was just expecting something broader. The Afterword, however, satisfied me enough to round up to 4 stars. The author acknowledges and explains the timeframe for most chapters (each chapter being a fluid). As for the cultural issue, he states this: I have also only discussed bodily fluids in other cultures around the world in passing, while there is of course very much to be said on that subject. Although this book thus only addresses the tip of the iceberg, it is nevertheless an important tip and hopefully one that inspires the reader to delve more deeply. I appreciate the mentioning of this, as some authors don’t bother with these kinds of things.

Anyway, enough about the Afterword.

As I mentioned, each chapter is a bodily fluid. I wouldn’t have thought earwax included, but it makes a kind of (gross) sense. I think the chapter with the most ick factor, for me anyway, was that of p*s (sorry, even typing the word makes me slightly queasy). The funniest chapter was urine. There was a lot of emphasis on scientific methods, primarily from 1400s - 1900s, with some mention of antiquity. I believe the author is more scientist than cultural historian, which would make sense considering all the science bits. But they aren’t explained in a tedious, textbook manner. There are several images, like the amazing anatomical illustration of the eye and the tear ducts/tears (17th or 18th century, if I remember correctly), and some antique piss pots.

I would recommend this book for those who like weird/unique history, medical history, science, or just general knowledge. If you’re squeamish with text, you might want to skip one or two chapters, but even I plowed through the ‘p’ word chapter.

Thank you again to NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

[Katheryn Haskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is extremely interesting, but there's a few things to consider doing into it. Primarily what the content is. This is a science based focus primarily, so a lot of what it looks into is 1600-1800 era learning about, vs what it is today. There is an acknowledgement that also states that there could be a whole book on the art/societal aspects of these fluids as well, that isn't really addressed. It is a base level, scientific breakdown. Still extremely interesting, but just in case someone is going into this for a different viewpoint.

With that said, I enjoyed this! There was a few places where I struggled with keeping name and dates straight, but what can you do. There's a lot to learn here, and I didn't know a lot of this information, it was really neat to learn it. I think as someone in North America I'd like to read a version that is more focused on this region too, since this book is very Eurocentric (with good reason).

I love that they are broken up into chapters based on the fluid, and there are sources!! I love that SO much. And they're so accessible too being at the end of each chapter. There's multiple break points for each chapter too, which makes it easy to stop and start reading.

I'd definitely put this on the high end of a 3 rating, and very cool if you're into this kind of stuff.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75 stars

Synopsis: Each chapter of this book is dedicated to a particular bodily fluid, tracing how they have been viewed and understood over time, and how our feelings about them have so often become saturated with shame.



Review: This was a quick, easy read. It focused largely on how bodies were viewed in Europe in antiquity, the pre-modern period, and towards the modern day. Each chapter was structured a bit differently (some chapters had a heavy focus on science and medicine which I enjoyed, whereas others did not - the chapter on tears, for example, was largely comprised of historical accounts concerning people crying in different situations), and I would have preferred more consistency. I also found that some of the chapters ended pretty suddenly and I was left wanting more information. That said, this was a pretty enjoyable book to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blood, Sweat and Tears by Ruben Verwaal with translation by Andy Brown is a broad exploration of humanity's relationship with bodily fluids and how that relationship has changed over time as our knowledge and understanding of their function has changed. As well as the medical aspect the author dips his toe into the cultural history of fluids ranging from blood to breastmilk, though not in any great depth. The book is clearly written and designed to be accessible to the average reader and although it is a broad overview there is a curated bibliography at the end of each chapter that allows for further exploration of the topic if the reader desires. The book does focus largely on European history and culture, not surprising given the author's nationality, but I do wish that he had explored a little further afield.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood, Sweat and Tears is an interesting history of the social understanding of bodily fluids. It seems to destigmatise our excretions by giving historical context to how humans have reacted to them at different points in time. The writing is thematic rather than linear, and seeks to show variety rather than depth. It is an entertaining and educational read, that will prompt you to think more about the relationship between nature and social norms.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Onderhoudend en interessant boekje. Ik miste wel een hoofdstuk over snot, toch een niet te onderschatten vloeistof waar allerlei interessants over te vinden is lijkt me. Klein puntje van kritiek vind ik het vele gebruik van geboorte- en sterfdata. Een globale introductie als 'die in de 18e eeuw leefde' of 'de 17e-eeuwse wetenschapper', had wat mij betreft in vele gevallen volstaan.

[Cathelijne Beijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik ben dol op geschiedenis en poep- en piesweetjes, dus dit boek is zeker aan mij besteed. Ik was alleen niet zo gecharmeerd van de opbouw: per hoofdstuk een opsommingen van weetjes met veel voetnoten. Ik weet ook niet direct hoe het anders had gemoeten, maar er viel daardoor wel een ster van m’n beoordeling af.

[mel jigs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy of this book. As a nurse I enjoyed this, l learnt lots
Of new information about how bodily fluids were thought of and used in history. I recommend this book to anyone but definitely think health care professionals in particular will enjoy this book.

[Laura Argenziano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood, Sweat and Tears is an interesting and well researched history into our somewhat strange relationship with bodily fluids. Some of the stories (for lack of a better word) got kind of long winded, but overall, I found this to be rather interesting and I've certainly learned some information that I hope I can use for trivia night.

[Zuster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Really like how it's written, taking some things of the past and also how the different aspects of the society have changed regarding the subjects.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leuk boek, maar na een tijdje voelt het alsof ik 'wist-je-dat' na 'wist-je-datje' aan het lezen was. Een opeenvolging van leuke feitjes. Fijn om af en toe een hoofdstuk uit te lezen, maar zeker geen pageturner.