# What can one read in his/her stool (poop)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 5, 2006, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505 "2006-06-05T18:07:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gitfiddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/898d66/32.png) [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/1 "2006-06-05T18:07:18Z")
I know this is pretty gross, but what can one see in his poop (regarding his health, diet, etc.)? Is it better if it floats or sinks? Really solid or, um, crumbly? I think I saw Kathy Lee Gifford on something like Conan O’ Brian one night where she was talking about her new (at the time) dieting book. The host (which is why I think it was Conan) wouldn’t let her talk about anything but a chapter where she talks about paying attention to one’s stool. Keep in mind, I’m talking only about in-toilet observation (no touching, tests, etc.)… ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/2 "2006-06-05T19:12:25Z")
> [@gitfiddle](#): > > I know this is pretty gross, but what can one see in his poop (regarding his health, diet, etc.)? > Is it better if it floats or sinks? Really solid or, um, crumbly? > I think I saw Kathy Lee Gifford on something like Conan O’ Brian one night where she was talking about her new (at the time) dieting book. The host (which is why I think it was Conan) wouldn’t let her talk about anything but a chapter where she talks about paying attention to one’s stool. > Keep in mind, I’m talking only about in-toilet observation (no touching, tests, etc.)… There isn’t much printed on poop but OTOH a lot is printed about poop. Floaters are alleged to be from the skinny crowd and sinkers from the obese. If you see tape worms take Vermifuge. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/3 "2006-06-05T19:25:55Z")
> [@gitfiddle](#): > > I know this is pretty gross, but what can one see in his poop (regarding his health, diet, etc.)? I see lots of shit. Don’t you? :: D&R :: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/4 "2006-06-05T19:40:54Z")
The celeb you mentioned is Marilu Henner. She believes in food combining, no starch and protein together, no diary, and yes her diet book does have a chapter on reading your poop. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/5 "2006-06-05T20:29:03Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > The celeb you mentioned is Marilu Henner. She believes in food combining, no starch and protein together, no diary, and yes her diet book does have a chapter on reading your poop. You beat me to it. She’s all about the poop. ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/6 "2006-06-05T20:41:25Z")
> [@gitfiddle](#): > > I know this is pretty gross, but what can one see in his poop (regarding his health, diet, etc.)? I can’t claim to know all the poop on the subject, but stools that look like coffee grounds or are ‘black and tarry’ are a good reason to see a doctor on suspicion of internal bleeding. ---
**Author:** ![Merhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Merhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merhouse)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/7 "2006-06-05T20:42:55Z")
Not only can’t I believe I looked for this, but worse is that I found it. Worst of all, of course, is that I’m sharing [Does Your Poop Float?](http://ourgardengang.tripod.com/bmstools.htm) with you for your viewing pleasure. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/8 "2006-06-05T21:26:27Z")
> [@wevets](#): > > I can’t claim to know all the poop on the subject, but stools that look like coffee grounds or are ‘black and tarry’ are a good reason to see a doctor on suspicion of internal bleeding. And stools that float (among other things) may be a sign of malabsorption. More [here](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003128.htm) from the Experts On Floating Poop. Changes in Bowel Habits (to use official medical terminology) are potentially a source of concern, especially if they go on for more than a few weeks. Apart from such things, obsessive interest in one’s droppings is a good sign that one needs a new hobby. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/9 "2006-06-05T22:14:09Z")
In order for you to read it, isn’t it required for something to be written in it? Not that this is farfetched. I used to work maintenance at a summer camp - you’d be surprised (or not) at how creative adolescent boys can be. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/10 "2006-06-05T22:29:40Z")
If the future can be read by reading the entrails of birds, what could you expect to learn by reading your stool? ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/11 "2006-06-05T22:37:27Z")
Most of us Dopers can only read that one’s own poop contains corn or tomato seeds. Lieu, on the other hand, can read last week’s newspaper and cut out the sales ads, as well. He truly is a cut above the rest of us slobs. ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/12 "2006-06-05T22:37:36Z")
There is no need to try to become some kind of an expert on this yourself. We have stool pigeons for this. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/13 "2006-06-05T22:52:59Z")
If a million Dopers eat a million cans of alphabet soup, will the works of Shakespeare be spelled out in their toilets, or will it just be a lot of crap? ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/14 "2006-06-05T22:54:22Z")
Perhaps German or Austrian dopers can provide illumination on this topic. I was told that the reason thier toilets have a “shelf” to catch the fecal matter, rather than allowing it to drop into an odor masking pool of water, is so that one can more effectivly examine it, and make health determinations. I was not told what one looks for. [tmi]Besides corn and tomato seeds, it’s clear I need to chew my peanuts better.[/tmi] ---
**Author:** ![DoperChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DoperChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoperChic)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/15 "2006-06-05T23:07:57Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > Perhaps German or Austrian dopers can provide illumination on this topic. > > I was told that the reason thier toilets have a “shelf” to catch the fecal matter, rather than allowing it to drop into an odor masking pool of water, is so that one can more effectivly examine it, and make health determinations. > > I was not told what one looks for. > > [tmi]Besides corn and tomato seeds, it’s clear I need to chew my peanuts better.[/tmi] They have a WHAT?? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/16 "2006-06-06T00:25:32Z")
Yep, in many German/Austrian toilets, the 'deposit" lands on a sort of shelf and not in a pool of water. When you flush, it’s washed _forward_, then down and out. I never really understood why. ---
**Author:** ![miamouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@miamouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miamouse)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/17 "2006-06-06T02:28:54Z")
> [@Rysdad](#): > > Yep, in many German/Austrian toilets, the 'deposit" lands on a sort of shelf and not in a pool of water. When you flush, it’s washed _forward_, then down and out. > > I never really understood why. No back splash? (I just HATE backsplash…) ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/18 "2006-06-06T04:06:14Z")
**War and Feces?** ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/19 "2006-06-06T05:33:04Z")
In this mileu, I remember a very interesting scene in _The Last Emperor_ in which the Cort Doctor would examine and smell the Divine Emperor’s Poo, likewhise divining and modifying the Emperor’s diet. The Tao of Poop may be a scatalogical treatise. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505/20 "2006-06-06T12:31:36Z")
> [@gitfiddle](#): > > What can one read in his/her stool (poop)? That you’ve got terrible taste in fonts? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-one-read-in-his-her-stool-poop/359505.md?page=2)