The toilet, a seemingly mundane fixture in our daily lives, has a dark history filled with drama and tragedy. From kings to celebrities, the smallest room in the house has claimed its fair share of victims throughout history, with untimely deaths ranging from the tragic to the bizarre.
At the heart of the danger lies the Valsalva manoeuvre, a common act of forcibly exhaling against a closed airway while straining during defecation. While harmless for most people, this maneuver can be deadly for those with underlying heart conditions, leading to fainting, irregular heart rhythms, and even sudden death.
Two notable examples of toilet-related deaths are Elvis Presley and King George II. Presley, who suffered from chronic constipation exacerbated by a poor diet and opiate use, may have triggered a fatal arrhythmia while straining on the toilet. Similarly, King George II’s death was attributed to a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm, likely triggered by the effort of defecation or a sudden change in posture.
Historically, toilet-related accidents were even deadlier, especially for those using privies and cesspits before modern plumbing. Falling into a cesspit could result in drowning or suffocation from toxic gases like methane and hydrogen sulphide. These grim accidents played a role in driving public health reforms and better sewage infrastructure.
Modern habits also pose new risks, such as prolonged sitting times on the toilet, which can increase the risk of haemorrhoids and anal fissures. Bringing smartphones to the toilet can also introduce microbial dangers, as studies have shown that phones can carry harmful germs from the toilet to your hands and mouth.
The issue of toilet posture is also significant, as the western-style sitting toilet can make defecation more effortful and provoke straining. Some people use footstools or “toilet squat platforms” to adjust their position and reduce the risk of complications.
In conclusion, the toilet is not always the sanctuary we imagine. It is a space where anatomy, privacy, and risk intersect, often unnoticed until something goes wrong. So next time nature calls, remember to sit smart, avoid straining, and be mindful of the potential dangers that lurk in the smallest room of the house.
