[cduzz]

Didn't our ancestors just use paper for such things? Or cloth?

I guess lots of them died of dentistry before getting to oregon, but still.

[enobrev]

Killer cavities or misspelling of "dysentery"?

[dfxm12]

Knowing that the dentists of the early-mid 19th century were mostly trained as barbers, probably both.

[AstralStorm]

Waxed paper, usually. It is not nearly close to biodegradable. It requires specific yeasts yo be present in the soil or the paper will remain for a very long time. Also waxed fabrics and glass or ceramic jars.

[openplatypus]

Dysentery?