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I wonder how the ancestors did it. What did they wipe with? Did they get it all off? Did they wipe at all? Maybe they tried to go near some body of water for a convenient rinsing. How did their diet affect the results? You know? I don't need magazines, I wonder this almost every time and it kind of makes me feel closer to my ancestors.
You could read anthropology articles. Or you could create a shitty post, pun intended.
Early in my long lifetime we used newspaper cut into squares in the outside pan toilet. Bums got sore from the paper and noses were offended by the stench. Where we lived there was no pan collection so my dad used to dig a hole and bury it in the dead of night. Hooray for toilet paper and modern plumbing, although I don't mind the "long drops" some of my friends still have and would have a composting toilet if I could.
Pre-invasion, Australian Aboriginals used to use stones or grass, which did create plumbing problems when they were forced into "civilised" housing.
News paper neatly cut were all the go in the boarding school outside toilet which meant even in the dead of the night if one needed tp go. out into the dark in the PJ's and into the coldness of the night and the toilet: so it was in and out but wiping with the news paper was difficult if one was not carefull one could have a dirtier bum coming back into bed: if the dean of discipline saw you soiled your sheets he would order you to go for a cold showere and then to his room for a sapnking of paddling for your mishap which was natural and you could not help it>>
Some cultures squatted into a hole. It put their body into a natural position, causing gravity to work its magic and release their bowels. It's advise today for ultimate dumping, to put your feet up on a stool. It makes it easier for your stuff to come out. Getting a stool could be a way for you to bond with your ancestors.
your pondering brought me really back to where I was born no toilets just the chamber pot and the outside toilet was where the furthest bush or tree was where on could be private and not be seen: my aunt and my mom shred a tiny roo in a three bed roomed cottage the chaper pot was under neath the bed used during the night squatting right down in order not to miss the pot forced a quicker poo. and then an old news paper to wipe clean then outside if one did not bring a piece of paper than a leaf of some sort or a fistful of grass sometimes I had to avoid picking nettles: yes quite primitive from present day luxury our ancestors were pretty natural and very primitive: down to the nearest river to bathe or just a body wash,
Amazing! Were you aware of the inconvenience at the time? Did you ever foresee a better way coming?
not really, strange enough, it all was so real to me that I was not conscious at all of it all going on around me: but I am certain I noticed I was different down there than my mom and Aunt which was her way of letting me know: with no sisters I guess it was they way I should learn the difference: good asking though thank you