How eunuchs go to the toilet: revealing the secret life of ancient palaces
In the ancient Chinese palace, eunuchs were a special group. They lost their male physiological characteristics due to purification. This has also aroused the curiosity of many people: How do eunuchs go to the toilet? This article will combine historical data and modern research to uncover this hidden topic for you.
1. Physiological changes and toilet methods of eunuchs
After a eunuch cleanses himself, his urinary system will undergo significant changes. The following are the effects of purification on the eunuch's physiology:
| Physiological changes | Impact on toileting |
|---|---|
| Change in urethra position | Requires squatting or use of special equipment |
| reduced ability to control | Urinary incontinence may occur |
| changes in hormone levels | Affects urination frequency |
2. How eunuchs used the toilet in historical records
According to court records from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the main methods of using the toilet for eunuchs include the following:
| way | Description | Usage scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Squat | Solve it by squatting | Daily use by ordinary eunuchs |
| chamber pot | Special ceramic ware | Used in the bedroom of senior eunuchs |
| Changing clothes when going out | Go to specific places regularly | Used during duty |
3. Special utensils for eunuchs to use the toilet
Some cultural relics collected by the Palace Museum show that eunuchs used the following special instruments:
| Appliance name | Material | Features |
|---|---|---|
| eunuch chamber pot | Ceramic | Large front opening for ease of use |
| diaper straps | Cotton cloth | Prevent urinary incontinence from staining clothing |
| bidet | Copper | for cleaning care |
4. Palace rules for eunuchs using the toilet
In the hierarchical palace, there are strict rules for eunuchs to go to the toilet:
| Level | Toilet privileges | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Chief eunuch | Dedicated clean room | Unlimited |
| Chief eunuch | Use clean room regularly | 3 times a day |
| ordinary eunuch | public toilet | Report approval required |
5. Eunuchs’ toilet use from the perspective of modern medicine
From the perspective of modern medicine, eunuchs’ toilet problems mainly involve the following aspects:
| medical problems | solution | historical correspondence |
|---|---|---|
| Urethral stricture | dilation surgery | Use a urinary catheter |
| urinary incontinence | Pelvic floor muscle training | use diapers |
| infection risk | Regular disinfection | herbal cleansing |
6. Descriptions of eunuchs going to the toilet in literary works
In some historical novels and film and television works, there are also artistic presentations of eunuchs using the toilet:
| Title of work | Describe characteristics | authenticity |
|---|---|---|
| "The Legend of Zhen Huan" | veiled reference | partially true |
| "The Ming Dynasty 1566" | Realistic style | More accurate |
| "The Last Emperor" | Western perspective | There is a bias |
7. Archaeological discoveries related to eunuchs using the toilet
Some archaeological discoveries in recent years have provided us with more physical evidence:
| Discovery location | Unearthed items | era |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing Forbidden City | Special toilet for eunuchs | Qing Dynasty |
| Nanjing Ming Forbidden City | Cleansing tools | Ming Dynasty |
| Xi'an Tanghuangcheng | Toilet related murals | Tang Dynasty |
Conclusion
The eunuch's bathroom problem seems to be a small detail of life, but it reflects many secrets of ancient palace life. From physiological changes to social status, from special instruments to palace rules, this topic covers the research value of medicine, history, archaeology and other fields. By sorting through these materials, we not only solved the question of "how eunuchs go to the toilet", but also got a glimpse of the real living conditions of that special group.
It is worth noting that due to limited relevant historical records, some content may contain speculation. As archaeological discoveries increase and research deepens, our understanding of this topic will continue to improve.
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