What is S.H.I.T.?

Picture credit: http://farm2.static.flickr.com

Edwin Ng of Klang forwarded this piece of/on (we’ll let you decide) S.H.I.T.

If you can't stand this S.H.I.T, you can scroll down to take in the STOOL.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before the invention of commercial fertilizers, so large shipments of manure were quite common.

It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, not only did it become heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by product is methane gas of course. As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen.

Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!

Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening

After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the instruction ' Stow high in transit ' on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.

Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T ' , (Stow High In Transit) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day..

You probably did not know the true history of this word.

Neither did we.

We had always thought it had something to do with politicians.....Oh S.H.I.T. !

If you are still interested, here’s more S.H.I.T.

STOOL PROBLEMS

What are the signs of stool problems?

Changes in the color, consistency, size and frequency of stool can be a normal occurrence related to dietary changes. Stool symptoms often resolve on their own; those that last more than a few days may be related to a digestive tract condition.

Certain persistent changes in stool color are characteristic for specific conditions:

• black, foul-smelling stool: intestinal bleeding (typically from the stomach and upper small intestine) due to ulcers, tumors; ingestion of iron or bismuth
• maroon stool: intestinal bleeding (from the middle intestine or proximal colon) due to ulcers, tumors, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis
• clay-colored stool: lack of bile due to blockage of the main bile duct
• pale yellow, greasy, foul-smelling stool: malabsorption of fat due to pancreatic insufficiency, as seen with pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease

Floating stools, which may be bulky and unusually foul smelling, typically contain gas, which may be due to diet, infection, or absorption problems in the intestine. A greasy or oily appearance can be due to fat in the stool. Pus in the stool is an indication of infection. Mucus in the stool can be related to infection, inflammation, cancer, constipation, or conditions of the anus or rectum. Frequent, loosely-formed stool can be related to diet, medications, infection, inflammation, or food poisoning.

Narrowing of the colon, rectum, or anus from cancer, polyps, scarring, or other conditions can cause thin stool. An incomplete blockage of the intestines can cause diarrhea, as watery stool may be the only stool that can travel through it. Constipation followed by diarrhea can be related to fecal impaction, in which a large mass of hard stool forms in the rectum, preventing solid material from passing.

Stool symptoms that persist or are accompanied by severe symptoms may be due to a serious condition. Seek immediate medical care if you have bloody stool or vomit, black or tarry stool, stool with pus, severe abdominal pain, high fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit), profuse sweating, change in level of consciousness, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), decreased urination, or excessive thirst.

If your stool symptoms are persistent or cause you concern, seek prompt medical care.

Source: BetterMedicine and MedicineNet