Shit Happens: The Transition of Perception Europeans Had Towards Excrement Matter Over the Course of Modern European History

Night (The Four Times of Day)

Mar 25, 1738

Here we are exposed to the streets of Edinburgh in 1738. This drawing by William Hogarth gives us insight into the carnage that was Edinburg's streets at the time. On the left side of the drawing, it may seem like an ordinary day, as a gentleman is receiving a haircut at his local barber. Yet, when focusing on the street, there is total chaos and the street is filthy. Looking at the top left, we are presented with a potential "Gardy-loo!" as a gentleman is discarding his chamber pot below.

Cholera Protest Poster, Lambeth

Aug 1, 1831

Here we are presented with a protest poster in regards to the poor conditions of sewers. Sewers in Lambeth in the year 1832 were the equivalent of overflowing cesspools. This was during the Industrial Revolution, a pivotal time in scientific findings. As citizens of Lamberth became more aware of the relation between excreta and illness, they began to push for better disposal of fecal matter away.

The Silent Highwayman

Jul 10, 1858

This image represents the awful smell that came from the Thames River in London. As stated previously, Londoners did not have proper means of discarding their excreta. With sources of water being contaminated, mass deaths occurred due to cholera. In this image, death is very present. Not only is the boat conductor a skeleton, but any living thing within the body of water is also appeared to be dead. Until filtration of water and iron pipes became standardized, these waters were very dangerous.

Reserve Infanterie Regiment 236

Jan 1, 1914

Here we are exposed to soldiers in the Reserve Infanterie Regiment 236 using a public latrine while they are protecting the Fortress of Liege during World War One. This photo is an example of the awful conditions that came with trench warfare. In this particular case, due to germans bombing the majority of latrines, this one that is still in place has immensely overflown. The stench of excreta would eventually be a reason for this regiment's surrender.

Citations #1

Mar 30, 2022

Reserve Infanterie Regiment 236: Dendooven, Dominick. “Trench Crap: Excremental Aspects of the First World War” In Modern Conflict and the Senses. Edited by Nicholas J. Saunders and Paul Cornish. Oxfordshire: Routledge, 2017, p 5. Night (The Four Times of Day): Frederic George Stephens, M. Dorothy George Catalogue of political and personal satires preserved in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum. 11 vols., London, 1870-, cat. no. 2392.

Citations #2

Mar 31, 2022

The Silent Highwayman: Punch Magazine. “Silent Highwayman” Cartoons about City life, Country life and Society, from Punch, July 10, 1858. https://punch.photoshelter.com/image/I0000I9pB1bzJys8. Cholera Protest Poster, Lambeth: Unknown Artist. “Cholera Protest Poster, Lambeth.” Landmark, February 1, 2018. https://boroughphotos.org/lambeth/cholera-protest-poster-lambeth/#:~:text='Has%20DEATH%20in%20a%20rage,are%20still%20without%20common%20sewers.