The bedpan is a classic piece of hospital ward equipment. It was essential when the patient was elderly or bed-bound and very useful at a time when most toilets were outside. This pewter example is punched with the maker's name, "Deverres", and the place name, "Caen, France", and is said to have been used in a French hospital called Maison Leseigner. A bed pan can be used for both urinary and fecal discharge.