The toilet-like device that washes the external genitals and anus is known as a bidet. Though largely unknown in the Americas, they are more commonly found in Europe and the Eastern Hemisphere.
The modern bidet is composed of porcelain like a toilet. Its bowl contains an upward facing spout that emits water to clean the posterior. The device may also be flushed like a toilet. Cleaning with water is seen by some to be a healthier, less abrasive and more environmentally friendly alternative to using toilet paper. Originally a washing bucket next to the chamber pot in the 18th century, the bidet has evolved into a modern bathroom fixture.
