4. Other causes. Mechanical obstruction.--Anything that will hinder the
free and easy passage of the feces (bowel contents). Too tight external
sphincter (rectum) muscle, stricture, tumors, etc. Bending of the womb on
the bowel.
Defective Worm-like Bowel Movement.--Irregular habits of living head the
list causing this defective action. Everyone should promptly attend to
Nature's call. Some people wait until the desire for stool has all gone,
and in that way the "habit" of the bowels is gradually lost. Everyone
should go to stool at a certain regular time each day, and at any other
time when Nature calls. If a person heeds this call of Nature, the call
will come regularly at the proper time, say every morning after breakfast.
If these sensations (Nature's calls) are ignored day after day, the mucous
membrane soon loses its sensitiveness and the muscular coat its tonicity,
and as a result, large quantities of fecal matter may accumulate in the
sigmoid (part of the bowel) or in the rectum without exciting the least
desire to empty the bowels. Again, irregular time for eating and improper
diet are liable to diminish this action also. Foods that contain very
little liquid and those that do not leave much residue are liable to
accumulate in the bowel and at the same time press upon the rectum hard
enough to produce a partial paralysis.
Deficiency of the Secretions.--Many of the causes that hinder worm-like
motion are also likely to lessen the normal secretions of the bowel. Some
kinds of liver diseases tend to lessen the secretions of the bowel,
because the amount of bile emptied into the bowel is lessened. Sometimes
the glands of the intestine are rendered less active by disease and other
causes.
Sundry Causes.--Diabetes, melancholy, insanity, old age, paralysis, lead
poisoning and some troubles of local origin, like fissure of the rectum,
ulceration, stricture and polypus.
[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 137]
Symptoms.--Headache, inattention to business, loss of memory, melancholy,
sallow complexion, indigestion, loss of appetite, nervous symptoms.
Spasmodic muscular contraction of the external sphincter. The bowel
contents press upon it; spasm of this sphincter muscle is frequently
brought on by the presence of a crack in the mucous membrane, caused by
injury inflicted during expulsion of hardened feces. Instead of aiding a
bowel movement, the muscles now present an obstruction beyond control of
the will and aggravate the condition. The most frequent cause of disease
of the rectum is constipation and anyone of the following local diseases
of the rectum and anus may be a symptom of constipation. (1) Fissure or
crack of the anus. (2) Ulceration. (3) Hemorrhoids (piles). (4) Prolapse
(falling). (5) Neuralgia. (6) Proctitis and periproctitis.
Fissure of the anus is a common local symptom of constipation. The feces
accumulate when the bowels do not move for a few days, the watery portion
is absorbed; they become dry, hard, lumpy, and very difficult to expel,
frequently making a rent (tear) in the mucous membrane and resulting
eventually in an irritable fissure. Ulceration of the rectum and the
sigmoid (part of the bowel) is a symptom of persistent constipation,
because the pressure exerted upon the nourishing blood vessels by the
fecal mass causes local death of the tissues.
Hemorrhoids (Piles) may be produced by constipation in several ways; first
by obstruction to the return of the venous (dark) blood. Second, by venous
engorgement (filling up) of the hemorrhoidal veins during violent and
prolonged straining at stool. Third, as a result of the general looseness
of the tissues in those suffering from constipation.
Prolapse (Falling of the Bowel).--This falling of the rectum may be
partial or complete, and may be caused by straining or by the downward
pressure exerted by the fecal mass during the emptying movement of the
bowel. It may also be the result of a partial paralysis of the bowel
caused by pressure of the feces upon the nerves.
Proctitis and Peri-Proctitis.--Inflammation of the rectum and surrounding
tissue that may or may not terminate in an abscess and fistula, sometimes
follows injury to the very sensitive mucous membrane by the hardened
feces.
Neuralgia of the Rectum.--This may sometimes result from the pressure of
the fecal mass upon the nearby nerves causing pain in the sacrum coccyx
(bones).
MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--1. Constipation, a Good Substitute for Pills and
Drugs.--"Two ounces each of figs, dates, raisins, and prunes (without
pits) one-half ounce senna leaves. Grind through meat chopper, and mix
thoroughly by kneading. Break off pieces (about a level teaspoonful) and
form into tablets. Wrap each in a wax paper and keep in covered glass
jars, in a cool place. Dose.--One at night to keep the bowels regular.
Very pleasant to take."
[138 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
2. Constipation, Substitute for Castor Oil.--"Take good clean figs, and
stew them very slowly in olive oil until plump and tender, then add a
little honey and a little lemon juice, and allow the syrup to boil thick.
Remarks.--Keep this in a covered glass jar and when a dose of castor oil
seems necessary, a single fig will answer every purpose. Not unpleasant to
take."
3. Constipation, Hot Water for.--"A cup of hot water, as hot as one can
drink it, a half an hour before breakfast." The hot water thoroughly
rinses the stomach and helps the bowels to carry off all the impurities.
4. Constipation. Excellent Nourishment for Old People.--"A tablespoonful
of olive oil three times a day internally for weak or very old people: it
can be injected,--used as an enema." Olive oil will be found very
beneficial for young people as well as old. It acts as a food for the
whole system and is very nourishing.
5. Constipation, Salt and Water for.--"A pinch of salt in a glass of water
taken before breakfast every morning. I have found it a very good remedy."
This is a remedy easily obtained in any home and will be found very
helpful. Few people seem to realize how valuable salt is as a medicine. It
acts as a stimulant and loosens the bowels.
6. Constipation, Water Cure for.--"Drink a quantity of water on retiring
and during the day." This simple home remedy has been known to cure
stubborn cases of constipation if kept up faithfully.
7. Constipation, Tonic and Standard Remedy for.--"Calomel one ounce, wild
cherry bark one ounce, Peruvian bark one ounce, Turkish rhubarb ground one
ounce, make this into one quart with water, then put in sufficient alcohol
to keep it." Dose:--Take a small teaspoonful each morning when the bowels
need regulating, or you need a stimulating tonic.
8. Constipation, Glycerin and Witch-Hazel Remedy Where Castor Oil Failed--
"Equal parts of glycerin and witch-hazel." Dose :--One teaspoonful every
night at bedtime. In severe cases where you have been unable to get a
movement of the bowels by the use of other cathartics, take a teaspoonful
every two hours until the bowels move freely. This remedy has been known
to cure when castor oil and other remedies have failed.