Mary Roach's book, "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," addresses a very peculiar concern in the medical field: the risks associated with bed pans in hospitals. Doctors from Cincinnati have noted a troubling trend of sudden patient deaths linked to their use. This phenomenon has become so recognized that it has been termed "bed pan death." Such commentary raises significant questions about patient safety and the posture associated with using these devices.

In the text, Roach suggests that the act of lying flat can impede natural bodily functions, contrasting it with the more effective squatting position, which aids in increasing pressure on the rectum. By allowing the body to work with gravity, squatting seems to facilitate the process more efficiently than the flat position often required when using a bed pan. This insight highlights the importance of ergonomics in medical settings, particularly regarding basic bodily functions.