Latrine
Latrine is a term used to describe a toilet or a simpler facility which is used as a toilet within a sanitation system. It can be a communal trench in the earth in a camp or other place where there is no available sewerage, or it can comprise a device that catches and stores human waste products for treatment. In the most basic form, a latrine can just be a hole in the ground. More sophisticated versions include a septic tank.
History[edit | edit source]
The term latrine is derived from the Latin lavatrina, meaning bath. It is nowadays still commonly used in the term pit latrine. For most people, it is associated with communal latrine facilities of primitive camps and military camps, and it is often used in that sense in survivalist camping.
Types of Latrines[edit | edit source]
There are several types of latrines which can be used, depending on the situation and the level of sophistication required. These include:
- Pit latrine: This is the simplest form of latrine, consisting of a hole in the ground which is used as a toilet. The waste is collected in the pit and is often covered with soil after each use to reduce smells and flies.
- Ventilated Improved Pit latrine: This is a more sophisticated version of the pit latrine, which includes a vent pipe to allow gases to escape and reduce smells.
- Pour Flush latrine: This type of latrine includes a water seal, which reduces smells and flies. The waste is flushed away with water.
- Composting latrine: This type of latrine collects human waste and allows it to compost over time, producing a safe and nutrient-rich soil conditioner.
Health and Sanitation[edit | edit source]
Proper use and maintenance of latrines is important for health and sanitation. In many developing countries, lack of access to clean and safe toilets is a major health issue. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly half of the world's population does not have access to safe sanitation, and this contributes to the spread of many diseases, including cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Latrine Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
