Subject: | |
From: | |
Reply To: | |
Date: | Wed, 11 Aug 1999 18:29:14 -0400 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
I believe that an earlier citation (provided by Mary Ellen??) also suggested an
etymology of 'looking glass' for chamber pot from the practice of physicians
examining stool samples. The term does conjure up a humorous side to the image
of the old family physician peering intently into the pot. I seem to recall that
this method of diagnostic exam dates back to antiquity, and perhaps earlier (i.e.
those Greek physicians who were so much in favor in Imperial Rome).
During grad school I worked as a night clerk in the emergency room of the local
hospital. One of our psychiatrists on call was Raymond Moody who wrote one of
the early books on near-death experiences (titled _Life After Life_, 1977;
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross was the other pioneer in this field; they helped popularize
the 'out-of-body/sense of contentment/walking toward the light' etc., stories).
Anyway, Raymond was/is an interesting person and perhaps a bit of an eccentric.
On occasion he would hang out at the front desk with the clerks (us) and talk
about various things (such as whether or not then President Reagan was 'legally
insane' --remember the missiles on trains, always a moving target? <g>). Once
he told me about an essay he wrote, which he dubbed his 'thesis on feces.' For
this paper he went about examing the stools of mental patients, to see if he
could find distinct patterns between those of, say, schizophrenics and the
depressed. His theory, in essence, was that 'the sphincter doesn't lie' and
would give a true insight into one's state of mental and emotional health. If I
recall correctly, he claimed that he did find some patterns; certain
personalities tend toward constipation, while others..., well, the details remain
thankfully fuzzy.
Okay, so this had more to do with bedpans than chamber pots, but I thought you
all would like to know that there are still people out there who take their shit
seriously.
:)
Marty Perdue
architectural history doctoral candidate living in Williamsburg
[log in to unmask]
|
|
|