Double wooden latrine seat, United Kingdom, 1914-1918

Made:
1914-1918 in United Kingdom
Double wooden latrine seat, back to back

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Double wooden latrine seat, back to back
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Double wooden latrine seat, back to back, with covers hinged to form back-rests, British Army supply, 1914-1918

Latrines are long communal ditches used as a toilet by soldiers. This double latrine seat would have been placed across the ditch, resting on each side. When the covers were placed upright they formed backrests. The seat could be used by two people at a time and was issued to the British Army during the First World War.

It is important to keep toilet areas away from living quarters. Otherwise there is a danger that water supplies could become contaminated with faeces. In the past, potentially fatal diseases such as cholera spread quickly among troops who had not followed this public health measure.

Details

Category:
Public Health & Hygiene
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A655837
Materials:
wood and iron (cast)
type:
latrine seat