interesting sidenote to privies
The Water Closet: A New History by Roy Palmer (Newton Abbot, England: David & Charles, 1973) covers much the same territory as Bogs, Basins, and Baths, albeit much less interestingly. It is distinguished, for my purposes, by a different list of surviving medieval privies, extensive quotes from the writings of Sir John Harrington, and by this contemporary (1970s) note:
He also mentions the 'dual flushing cistern' now used for saving water by earth-conscious people (and apparently by law in Australia-- one can use either less or more water depending on the absence or presence of solids. (Trying to look up a good link on these products, I was stymied but did find out you can buy a bidet spray toilet seat to do the same thing as the Clos O Mat.
The Swedes have perfected a method by which the use of toilet paper will no longer be necessary. The performer on this amazing machine has his rear quarters washed by a jet of warm water after which he is dried by warm air. This so-called 'Clos O Mat' has obvious advantages for disabled people, in particular, for whom toilet facilities constitute a special problem. (p. 130)
He also mentions the 'dual flushing cistern' now used for saving water by earth-conscious people (and apparently by law in Australia-- one can use either less or more water depending on the absence or presence of solids. (Trying to look up a good link on these products, I was stymied but did find out you can buy a bidet spray toilet seat to do the same thing as the Clos O Mat.