Monday, October 10, 2011

A chilly seat

We were up at Mum's flat today, collecting things for her to take to hospital for her operation tomorrow. We looked in a cupboard in a spare bedroom. Among other delights we found a china bedpan. The heating's not on in the flat so this item was very cold.



I had never seen it before. Where has it been for the past 60+ years?



"I'll take it to a charity shop," I said.



"Oh no," said Mum, "I might need it after my operation."



Hmm. I don't really think so. Can you imagine being unwell in that department of your anatomy and having to sit on a very hard, cold, shiny device like this? I now realise that this is why plastic was invented.



Plant pot, anyone? Available in a charity shop in Edinburgh from tomorrow.

13 comments:

  1. Wow -- maybe that should go into a museum or something -- you know...mid 20th century hospital equipment or something?

    Best of luck to your Mum and you tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you and I hope everything goes well.

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  2. I've just looked on eBay, and this style is called a "slipper" bed pan. Originals with fancy names in script on them seem to be worth a bit. Yours is a more basic model! I'd be very tempted to use it as a plant pot. Discreetly, of course.

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  3. I am seriously tempted! We have a Borders retreat to furnish, you know!

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  4. Makes my backside feel cold just looking at it......best wishes to your Mum!

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  5. Hope all goes well for your Mum

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  6. OOh it makes you shiver!! Hope all goes well for your Mum. x

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  7. Did you find any of those stoneware hotwater bottles too? Agony if you stub your toe!

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  8. When I was little, my mom and dad used to collect vintage china bedpans at garage sales. You can tell that dinner parties at my house were interesting, can't you?

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  9. can't wait to see what comes out of the family cupboards next! all courage for your mum and you.

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  10. Doesn't bear thinking about! Good luck to your ma.

    Lesley xx

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  11. I just looked at one of those in a local charity shop with my ma! she considered taking it for a while...and a 'gesunder' next to it...but I talked her out of it...
    hope all goes well with your mom.

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  12. Thinking of you and your mother - I hope the operation went well!

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  13. Oh God please no! Now that I'm working in an opshop (charity shop) I know only too well how we feel when things like that turn up as a donation...squeamish. Has it been sterilised properly? Do we really want to put that on the shelves with the kitchen crockery? Perhaps you could donate it to the nearest hospital or nursing home...

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