# Why do humans need toilet paper? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 24, 2006, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995 "2006-05-24T02:27:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/41 "2006-05-24T18:04:25Z")
[QUOTE=KidCharlemagne] Softer yes, but not messier. The fiber acts as a sponge, soaking up the water leaving the surrounding area dry. [/QUOTE] So you are saying a low fiber diet has messier stools? That is contrary what [medical professionals say](http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/index.htm): > [@](#): > > People who eat a high-fiber diet are less likely to become constipated. The most common causes of constipation are **a diet low in fiber** or a diet high in fats, such as cheese, eggs, and meats. > > Fiber—both soluble and insoluble—is the part of fruits, vegetables, and grains that the body cannot digest. Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines. Insoluble fiber passes through the intestines almost unchanged. The bulk and soft texture of fiber help prevent **hard, dry stools** that are difficult to pass. Hard, dry stool is inconsistent with messy bowel movements. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/42 "2006-05-24T18:56:04Z")
[QUOTE=KlondikeGeoff] So, what in the world ever possessed you to do this experiment in the first place? [/QUOTE] You don’t know how many telephone messages I’ve lost this way. ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/43 "2006-05-24T19:10:17Z")
[QUOTE=Princhester] Yeah, but that I think is because humans have bred them to have ridiculously long wool coats, which causes this problem. As a consequence, the sheep have to be “crutched” (shorn round the ass) to stop them getting fly blown. In other words, sheep are a special case and don’t really invalidate the OP’s point. [/QUOTE] Same with cows. They’ve been modified by man. Their enormous belly is certainly the cause of an unbalanced body shape. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/44 "2006-05-24T19:17:41Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] [nitpick]I suspect you meant to say _rectum_ - if the _colon_ was protruding from the anus, it would be pretty bad news. [/QUOTE] I recall reading about yoga practitioners in India distending(?) or extending the colon and maybe some of the intestines to wash them in the holy water of the Ganges river. It may have been in Ripleys’ Believe It or Not book. Diet has a lot to do with the consistency and shape or of feces, and how they may or may not get pinched/wiped off. Does anyone have a copy of James Whitcolmb Riley’s “The Old Outhouse?” Icy corncobs… Ouch! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/45 "2006-05-24T19:47:19Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] Hard, dry stool is inconsistent with messy bowel movements. [/QUOTE] Not in my experience. The ones that slip right out tend to be the cleanest. The ones I have to work at take work to clean up. Anyone else got any experiences with this? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/46 "2006-05-24T20:05:53Z")
[QUOTE=Spartydog] Why do animals get away without having to attend to the problem while humans are burdened? [/QUOTE] Because poo flinging declined in popularity after we climbed down out of the trees. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/47 "2006-05-24T21:23:17Z")
[QUOTE=Peak Banana] “Man is the only animal that can use toilet paper - or needs to.” Now, there’s a great signature line for you. [/QUOTE] That’s brilliant ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/48 "2006-05-24T21:33:57Z")
Another variation that is not as good: Man is the only animal that flushes - or needs to. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/49 "2006-05-24T21:38:52Z")
[QUOTE=mr. jp] Man is the only animal that flushes - or needs to. [/QUOTE] 😃 Actually, that’s even better. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/50 "2006-05-25T04:30:10Z")
OK, after reading the responses, I’m starting to get the sense that this question is one of the true imponderables. When I submitted the question I was sincere and serious about seeking some wisdom or insight. At this point, all I can think of is: “The human condition is such that very little can be done without having to do paperwork.” God, does indeed, have a sense of humor. If someone can still provide an answer I’d like to hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/51 "2006-05-25T04:49:10Z")
[QUOTE=spingears] I recall reading about yoga practitioners in India distending(?) or extending the colon and maybe some of the intestines to wash them in the holy water of the Ganges river. It may have been in Ripleys’ Believe It or Not book. [/QUOTE] If they did, they probably died shortly afterwards-the Ganges is filthy. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/52 "2006-05-25T06:50:12Z")
I think the first reason given by **CalMeacham** in post #7 above answers the question very well. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/53 "2006-05-25T08:29:12Z")
[QUOTE=Spartydog] OK, after reading the responses, I’m starting to get the sense that this question is one of the true imponderables. When I submitted the question I was sincere and serious about seeking some wisdom or insight. At this point, all I can think of is: “The human condition is such that very little can be done without having to do paperwork.” God, does indeed, have a sense of humor. If someone can still provide an answer I’d like to hear it. [/QUOTE] Odd comment. I admit that my own posts probably were not that helpful in terms of learning the truth. But a lot of the other stuff certainly is. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRamenMonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/54 "2006-05-25T11:04:01Z")
TMI! If I don’t pinch a turd mid-crap I usually don’t need to wipe. I mean, I wipe, but I don’t _need_ to. I bet in addition to diet and position there’s also pooping technique. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/55 "2006-05-25T13:55:12Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] If they did, they probably died shortly afterwards-the Ganges is filthy. :eek: [/QUOTE] Indians not only bathe in the Ganges they do the incomprehensible to our thinking, they DRINK it! :eek: Children growing up on sampans in the river harbors of the China (and other) coasts are virtually immune to all the diseases of mankind having been exposed to them all their lives. I would expect the infant death rate to be higher that in the Western world. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/56 "2006-05-25T15:45:46Z")
[QUOTE=even sven] Not in my experience. The ones that slip right out tend to be the cleanest. The ones I have to work at take work to clean up. Anyone else got any experiences with this? [/QUOTE] I can’t believe I’m responding, but I have had the opposite experience. I rarely eat fruits and vegetables so it’s “hard” for me, but cleaner. > [@walloon](#): > > Don’t believe me? Stick a small piece of note paper so that half of it is between the buttocks and half is sticking out. Most people can walk around without it falling out. Then sit on the toilet seat. Out it drops. I wonder if they’ll mind if I drop trou and try this around the office? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/57 "2006-05-25T16:50:59Z")
> [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > : > > Originally Posted by walloon > > Don’t believe me? Stick a small piece of note paper so that half of it is between the buttocks and half is sticking out. Most people can walk around without it falling out. Then sit on the toilet seat. Out it drops. > > I wonder if they’ll mind if I drop trou and try this around the office? I have to reply to this, since it casts doubt on my original thesis, that this doesn’t really tell you anythinmg about whether the buttocks are spread enough to allow unimpeded passage of feces. Whether your bottom cheeks rub up against one another or not when you walk is pretty irrelevant, too. I’m not surprised that they spread enough in your case to allow the paper to drop, but the question is whether yoyur buttocks, when you are seated on the toilet seat, are spread enough to prevent the stool from contacting them – entirely a different question. And does the modern toilet help or hinder? the claim made by Alexander and Sabbath and others is that it does not. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995/58 "2006-05-25T19:28:04Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] So you are saying a low fiber diet has messier stools? That is contrary what [medical professionals say](http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/index.htm):Hard, dry stool is inconsistent with messy bowel movements. [/QUOTE] “Messiness,” or more accurately, “stickiness” is not so much a factor of high fiber vs. low fiber, but rather one of whether the _carbs_ you eat are high or low fiber. Eat a relatively balanced meal but use white bread as your carbs. Sticky. Eat same but substitute white bread for whole grains or fruit. Not sticky. If you were to eat a diet of just fruit, your stools would be unformed, but leave virtually no residue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-humans-need-toilet-paper/357995.md?page=2)