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Livers and Freckles — 19th Century Humoral Theories about the Summer Sun

"Of all the results that exposure of the skin to the sun or air produces, the most disagreeable is that known by the name of tan, or freckles. The finest and fairest skin is most liable to this affection, and such is the consolation usually offered to females who suffer -- the state is nevertheless a disease when numerous." 1 --Dr. William Kittoe, 1845 In 19th century summers, most Americans considered tans more pathological than fashionable. Patent medicines like Faricum Almandine above (Fig. 1) and compounds from doctors and pharmacists provided men and (primarily) women the means to eliminate any evidence...

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