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Squat toilet

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French "Squatter" toilet

A squat toilet (also known as an Eastern or floor-level toilet) is a toilet used by squatting, rather than sitting. There are several types of squat toilets, but they all consist essentially of a hole in the ground. The only exception is a "pedestal" squat toilet, which is the same height as a standard western toilet. It is also possible to squat over standard western pedestal toilets, but this requires extra care as they are not specifically designed for squatters[1].

Types of squat toilets

  • The squat toilets (known as alaturka (from Italian alla turca) in Turkey or Iranian Toilet in Iran or paati in malayalam. In contrast to alafranga (alla franca) flush toilets) where the user puts his feet on foot rests; the user faces the entrance to the cubicle; it is prevalent in Turkey where flush toilets are now getting more in use for households and can still be found in some public buildings and at motorway services in France, Italy, Balkans and, more often, in the former USSR. In India such a toilet is widely used and is referred to as the Indian water closet or the Jodhpur Pan in contrast with the European water closet or EWC or the Western style of toilet. It is also used in the Middle East and can be found in rural areas of Greece and Italy. It is also very common in Iran and prevalent throughout most of China and South East Asia.
  • The Japanese toilet, which is also found in Korea, is shaped differently with a rectangular or oval shape and a lip at the flushing end to guard against urine. The user squats facing the flushing apparatus with his stool being deposited on the dry section opposite the flushing end, eliminating splashing but allowing some odor. When flushed, the higher, dry section of the toilet is washed towards the pool of water at the flushing end.

Arguments in favour of squat toilets

A contemporary Japanese squat toilet including toilet slippers.

Proponents of squat toilets argue that:

  • It is less expensive and easier to clean and maintain.[2]
  • It does not involve any contact between the buttocks and a potentially unsanitary surface.[3]
  • The lack of water in the bowl avoids the problem of splashing.
  • Squatting might help to build the required pressure more comfortably and quickly.[4]
  • Squatting makes elimination faster, easier and more complete.[5]
  • Elimination in squatting posture protects the nerves that control the prostate, bladder and uterus from becoming stretched and damaged.[6]
  • Squatting relaxes the puborectalis muscle which normally chokes the rectum in order to maintain continence.[7]
  • Squatting 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.[8]
  • 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.[9]
  • Squatting may reduce the occurrence or severity of hemorrhoids[10][11] and possibly other colorectal disorders such as diverticulosis[12] and appendicitis.[13]

Arguments against squat toilets

  • A common argument against the squat toilet is that if toilet paper is used where there is no flushing system installed, it is easy for the inexperienced user to clog the toilet. Those unfamiliar with the squat toilet should be sure to ask the location of the flushing bucket before attempting use. These buckets flush the toilets manually like a tank would.
  • Squat toilets are more difficult to use for those with limited mobility.
  • Users of the washdown seated toilet common in North America are accustomed to having the waste drop into a wide pool of water, trapping much of the odor under water, whereas other users dread the accidental splashing of possibly contaminated water onto their buttocks with such a setting. The squat toilet bowl is drier, since it is not so submerged.
  • People experiencing diarrhea can spray fecal matter over the floor and onto the back of the ankles and/or clothing.
  • A longer trip to the squat toilet may make your legs very tired, and could also be extremely uncomfortable.

See also

References

  1. ^ Squatting for the Prevention of Haemorrhoids? link
  2. ^ "Squatting Pan & Urinal Series.", a
  3. ^ "Squatting Pan & Urinal Series.", b
  4. ^ Bockus, H.L., GastroEnterology, (Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 1944), Vol. 2, p. 469.
  5. ^ Rad, Saeed, "Impact of Ethnic Habits on Defecographic Measurements", Archives of Iranian Medicine, Vol 5, No. 2, April 2002, p.115-117. link
  6. ^ Tobin, Andrew.. Prostate Disorder – Causes and Cure, National Direct Publishing, Bowden, Australia, 1996, (Chapter 12, by Wallace Bowles, entitled "Refining an Everyday Activity"),p.132
  7. ^ Tagart REB. The Anal Canal and Rectum: Their Varying Relationship and Its Effect on Anal Continence, Diseases of the Colon and Rectum 1966: 9, 449-452 link
  8. ^ Welles, William, "The Importance of Squatting" chapter in Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management, Bernard Jensen Publisher; 10th Ed edition (June 1981).
  9. ^ Nasir A, Korejo R, Noorani KJ, Child birth in squatting position, J Pak Med Assoc. 2007 Jan, 57(1):19-22 link
  10. ^ Christine Dimmer, Brian Martin, Noeline Reeves and Frances Sullivan , "Squatting for the Prevention of Hemorrhoids?", Published in Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients, 1996: 159, 66-70 link
  11. ^ Sikirov B. A. "Management of Hemorrhoids: A New Approach", Israel Journal of Medical Sciences, 1987: 23, 284-286. link
  12. ^ Sikirov BA, Etiology and pathogenesis of diverticulosis coli: a new approach, Medical Hypotheses, 1988 May;26(1):17-20. link
  13. ^ Burkitt DP. A deficiency of dietary fiber may be one cause of certain colonic and venous disorders, Digestive Diseases and Sciences,Volume 21, Number 2 / February, 1976, pp.104-108 link
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