Nineteenth-century Bedpan
Place where the object is located
Thackray Museum of Medicine, Leeds, UK
Story of the object
Bedpans have long been an essential piece of hospital equipment. A simple technology that allowed bedbound patients to relieve themselves in a sanitary way on the ward in an era when most toilets were outside, they performed an important role in keeping patients comfortable and clean. Their portability helped swift removal of waste from the bedside and allowed them to be stored underneath beds, close to hand. This old technology has changed little in the modern day and remains a vital part of hospital cleanliness.
This example from the early nineteenth century is made from white earthenware and designed for use by children. It was wedge-shaped so that it could be placed underneath the child. The natural coldness of the earthenware was a potential problem for use, however. The instructions for use printed on the bedpan advised that: “The Slipper should not be inserted under the side of the body as the common bed pan but be passed under front. A flannel cap for the toe part held on by strings round the heel will afford considerably comfort to the patient.”
How do simple technologies such as bed pans influence your work in medicine? How do considerations of patient comfort interact with or influence medical decisions? Are there any ethical concerns related to this?
This example from the early nineteenth century is made from white earthenware and designed for use by children. It was wedge-shaped so that it could be placed underneath the child. The natural coldness of the earthenware was a potential problem for use, however. The instructions for use printed on the bedpan advised that: “The Slipper should not be inserted under the side of the body as the common bed pan but be passed under front. A flannel cap for the toe part held on by strings round the heel will afford considerably comfort to the patient.”
How do simple technologies such as bed pans influence your work in medicine? How do considerations of patient comfort interact with or influence medical decisions? Are there any ethical concerns related to this?
Unit of the Educational Material connected (5 - 1)
Label
White earthenware measuring height 9cm, width 15cm, length 32cm made for children – similarly shaped adult bedpans were made around 7cm longer and 10cm wider. The hospital’s name and instructions for use are printed onto the bedpan, as well as the maker’s mark, Davenport. It is dated to 1836. Object reference 618.004.
The bedpan was made for the Liverpool Northern Hospital, later the David Lewis Northern Hospital, in 1836. The hospital opened in 1834 at Leeds Street, originally for those who had suffered accidents in the docks. It moved to Great Howard Street in 1845 and remained there until its closure in 1978. It was named for David Lewis after it was rebuilt from 1896-1902, and became part of the National Health Service on its inception in 1948.
The bedpan was purchased at auction in 1996, possibly as part of a sale of the remaining hospital equipment, though this is uncertain.
The Thackray Museum of Medicine is based in Leeds, UK, and houses the collection of the Thackray family, who developed a major medical supply firm over the course of the twentieth century. The museum was opened in 1997 to enable the wider public to learn more about the story of medicine and has recently undergone a multimillion-pound refurbishment.
For more information visit www.thackraymuseum.co.uk
The bedpan was made for the Liverpool Northern Hospital, later the David Lewis Northern Hospital, in 1836. The hospital opened in 1834 at Leeds Street, originally for those who had suffered accidents in the docks. It moved to Great Howard Street in 1845 and remained there until its closure in 1978. It was named for David Lewis after it was rebuilt from 1896-1902, and became part of the National Health Service on its inception in 1948.
The bedpan was purchased at auction in 1996, possibly as part of a sale of the remaining hospital equipment, though this is uncertain.
The Thackray Museum of Medicine is based in Leeds, UK, and houses the collection of the Thackray family, who developed a major medical supply firm over the course of the twentieth century. The museum was opened in 1997 to enable the wider public to learn more about the story of medicine and has recently undergone a multimillion-pound refurbishment.
For more information visit www.thackraymuseum.co.uk
