Warning to the reader: This particular posting deals with a mature subject matter. It is graphic. Very graphic. You may not enjoy it. Turn away now.

What's the best way to take a stool sample?

I have an annual health exam this coming weekend, for which I am required to provide a stool sample. Administering the collection of stool is never pleasant. There's just no way to do it holding your head up high.

Last year, I had a plastic vial with some liquid (maybe water?) in it, and from the underside of the cap was a pipe-cleaner-type extension, like the head of the Oral-B Interdental Brush system. I took a lot of tissue folded up, delivered a small controlled chunk of poop on the tissue whilst holding it, and brushed up a small sample.

This year, it's the plastic container seen in the photo to the right, with a little plastic shovel for collecting the sample... or eating yogurt.

So, how do I scoop? Well, they don't really need that much poop to work with. I don't need to fill the bottle. Do I follow what I did last year or try something new? If I position everything correctly, Maybe I could scrap the side of a log as it comes out.

Who dare reply?