Richard Wood (3) (1949–)

Images of a 1400-1600 close stool, Roman privies (surviving ruins and hypothetical depictions), etc watch out for incorrectly described wattle enclosure in York diorama (enclosure was put up by museum to avoid offense but is ahistorical)

This book literally follows the history of bathrooms/hygeine habits through the ages. While this book is full of interesting information, it may not be appropriate for some classrooms because some pictures contain nudity. Also, bathroom habits in the past could be considered gross by some.

Written by an Education Officer with the Norfolk Museums Service in England, this is an entertaining and informative account of the customs and improvements of the toilet. A great reminder too, that customs are only customs and they change through the ages! The Romans, for example, would be very surprised by our custom of locking ourselves privately in our loos. They treated the ocassion as an opportunity to exchange views and brushes (sponges) to clean their bottoms in large and open latrines!