Do you need to impress your boss, girlfriend or wife? Then I have the solution for you. Toilets. No, not cleaning them or actually wiping up the mess you made on the seat (thats what the cleaning lady or wife is for) Im talking about your new found authoritative history and knowledge of the toilet.
Throne, privy, john, water closet, loo, the commode. These words all describe the greatness that is the toilet.
Indoor plumbing was invented in Great Britain during the mid 1800's. During that time the British plumbing industy moved quickly to install the new toilets throughout the country. The new toilets greatly improved sanitation and allowed the common folks to feel like royalty.
Before the 18th century and the advent of indoor plumbing the throne like toilet was reserved for members of royalty and upper class.
During the late 1800's the rest of western europe and early America quickly adopted this new toilet, not wanting to appear less civilized then Great Britain.
However not all was well in poo land.
There is a growing controversy over what style of toilet is actually better.
There are several advantges of the old fashioned squatty potty over the new Loo.
- Makes elimination faster, easier and more complete. This helps prevent "fecal stagnation," a prime factor in colon cancer, appendicitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Protects the nerves that control the prostate, bladder and uterus from becoming stretched and damaged.
- Securely seals the ileocecal valve, between the colon and the small intestine. In the conventional sitting position, this valve is unsupported and often leaks during evacuation, contaminating the small intestine.
- Relaxes the puborectalis muscle which normally chokes the rectum in order to maintain continence.
- Uses the thighs to support the colon and prevent straining. Chronic straining on the toilet can cause hernias, diverticulosis, and pelvic organ prolapse.
- A highly effective, non-invasive treatment for hemorrhoids, as shown by published clinical research.
- For pregnant women, squatting avoids pressure on the uterus when using the toilet. Daily squatting helps prepare the mother-to-be for a more natural delivery.
Most of Asia still uses the squat pot and frowns uppon the western toilet. Some places are slowly adopting the new commode but people are slow to change.
