"Senna Leaves 1/2 pound
English Currants 1/2 pound
Figs 1/4 pound
Brown Sugar 1 large cup
Chop all together fine. Dose:--One-fourth to one-half teaspoonful every
night. Do not cook. The best remedy I know."
12. Constipation, Fruit and Hot Water Cure for.--"Drink a pint of hot
water in the morning before eating. Eat fruit, plenty of apples, eat
apples in the evening, and they will loosen the bowels. Chew them fine,
mix with saliva."
13. Constipation, Herb Tea for.--"One ounce senna leaves steeped in
one-half pint of hot water, with a teaspoonful of ginger powdered; strain.
This is a most certain and effective purge, and mild in its action upon
the bowels. Dose:--A cupful at bedtime. This is far superior to salts."
14. Constipation, Purshiana Bark Tea Without an Equal for.--"An infusion
of one ounce of purshiana bark to one pint of boiling water; infuse for
one hour and strain. It stands without an equal in the treatment of
constipation in all its varied forms. Dose:--One teaspoonful, morning and
evening according to symptoms or until the bowels are thoroughly
regulated." This is fine for constipation, especially if of long standing.
It may be used in connection with cascara. This will give relief when
other remedies fail.
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Constipation.--Too much reliance has been placed
upon medicine in the treatment of this disease and too little attention
given to diet, and the establishment of regular habits in eating,
exercising, sleeping and attending to the calls of Nature. Also, local
disease of the rectum has been overlooked until of late years. Remedies of
a laxative and cathartic nature soon lose their power and the dose must be
repeated or a new remedy must be given. This method of treatment is well
recommended and is very good.
1--Stretching of the sphincter.
2--Frequent rectal and abdominal massage.
3--Copious injection of warm water (in the beginning only).
4--Application of electricity over the abdomen and in the rectum.
[140 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
In addition to this treatment which must be carried out by a physician the
patient must observe the following rules: Go to stool daily, and as near
the same time as is convenient, correct errors of diet. Drink an abundance
of water and eat sufficient fruit. Take plenty of outdoor exercise; take a
cold bath every morning followed by a thorough rubbing. Dress warmly in
winter and cool in summer. Change of temperature or climate if the case
demands it. Be temperate in all things affecting the general health.
Stretching the sphincter must be done carefully, but in a thorough manner.
It can only be done properly by an experienced person. Stretching of the
sphincter closes the opening so that the feces are not passed at all
times. It is circular in shape. Sometimes this grows larger, stiffer, or
it acts spasmodically. The opening is often so tight in some people that
it is difficult to introduce even a finger, and it frequently produces a
spasm of pain in the bowels, stomach and head to do so. This kind will
produce constipation or make it worse. In such cases it should be
stretched thoroughly but carefully so that the muscle will be able to
close the opening and the bowel contents will not pass at any time
unhindered. There are two methods of stretching the muscle--forcible or
gradual. The forcible method is generally done by inserting the two thumbs
into the anus and stretching the muscle thoroughly in every direction
until there is no resistance. (Dilators are made for this purpose, but
unless they are very carefully used they will tear the muscle). The
forcible method should be done under an anesthetic. Gradual stretching is
done when an anesthetic cannot be used. It is better to do too little than
to do too much at the first sitting. The muscle is very stubborn
sometimes, and it requires careful handling or the irritability will be
increased. An instrument in the hands of a careful man is all right. They
can be stretched by the fingers or the Wales' bougie, thus: Patients
should come to the office two or three times a week, the instrument
(bougies) are introduced and allowed to remain within the bowel until the
muscle resistance is overcome, and many times their withdrawal will soon
be followed by a copious stool. Forcible stretching is seldom required
more than once, if a large sized instrument is used from time to time
afterward, just as in gradual stretching; when thorough dilatation has
been accomplished, the muscle instead of acting as an impassable barrier
to the discharge of the feces, now offers only passive resistance, but
sufficiently strong, however, to prevent any unpleasant accidents, yet not
strong enough to resist the power of the expulsory muscles when the latter
are brought into full play during stool. Large quantities of feces do not
now accumulate; consequently the pressure upon the mucous membrane and
neighboring nerves is eliminated, and the bowel regains its normal
sensibility and strength. There are now sold dilators in sets for self use
in almost every drug store. These when used continuously do good and
successful work.
[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 141]
Abdominal Massage. (Kneading, Rubbing, etc.).--This is an essential
feature in the treatment. It was practiced by Hippocrates hundreds of
years ago. Place the patient in the recumbent position upon a table which
can be so manipulated that the head may be raised or lowered, the body
rolled from side to side. Gentle but firm pressure is then made with the
palm of the hand and the ball of the thumb over the large intestine
beginning in the lower right groin region. Then go up to the ribs on the
right side, then over the body to the same place on the left side and down
to the left lower side and center, accompanying the pressure by kneading
the parts thoroughly with the fingers. Repeat this several times for about
ten to twelve minutes. At first this should be practised every day; later
twice a week. Special treatment should be given the small intestines and
liver when the bile and intestinal secretion are lessened. In children
gentle rubbing of the abdomen with circular movements from right to left
with a little oil for ten minutes daily will help to increase the action
of the bowels and often bring on a normal movement.
Copious Warm Water Injections.--This is good at the beginning of the
treatment when the feces become packed. They soften the mass and aid its
discharge. The water must go above the rectum into the colon. To do this a
colon tube from eighteen to twenty-four inches long, a good syringe (the
Davidson bulb) hard rubber piston or a fountain syringe, the nozzle of
which can be inserted into the tube, are required. The patient is placed
in the lying down position on the left side with knees drawn up, with the
hips elevated. Oil the tube and pass it gently and slowly up the bowel for
a few inches until it meets with a slight obstruction. A few ounces of
water are then forced through the tube and at the same time pressure is
made upward with the tube; by these means the obstruction will be lifted
out of the way each time the tube meets with resistance; the procedure
must be repeated until the tube is well within the colon. Attach the
syringe to the tube and allow the water to run until the colon is
distended. A quart to a gallon of warm water can be used depending upon
the age and amount of feces present. The water should be retained as long
as possible.
The injections should be continued daily until all the feces has been
removed. They should not be used for weeks as has been recommended. If
soap suds are used in the enema, green or soft soap should be used, not
the hard soap.
Electricity.--One pole may be placed over the spinal column and the other
moved about over the course of the colon, or one over the spine and the
other over the rectum.
Again constipation is caused by the womb lying upon the rectum. Change
this condition. (See diseases of women).
[142 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Rules.--Patients should go to stool daily at the same hour, usually after
the morning meal. You can educate the bowel to act daily at the same hour
or after breakfast; or on the other hand not more than once in two or
three days in those who are careless in their habits. Some patients need
to have two or three movements daily in order to feel well. It may take
time to educate the bowels to do this, but it can be done in many cases
and many persons become constipated because they put off attending to the
educated bowel's call, and often produce constipation by carelessness. It
is surprising how many educated people put off this duty; Nature
neglected, soon ceases to call. If constipated persons will persevere in
going to the closet at or near the same time every day and devote their
entire time while there to the expulsion of the fecal contents, and not
make it a reading room, they will bring about the desired result. Patients
are apt to become discouraged at first; they should be informed that the
final result of the treatment is not influenced by the failure of the
bowel to act regularly during the first few days. Do not strain to expel
the stool.
Corrections of Errors in Diet.--This is one of the necessary features in
the treatment. All kinds of foods known to disagree should be discarded.
The foods should be easily digested. In children the diet should be rich
in fats, albuminoids and sugar, but poor in starches. A reasonable amount
of fruits such as apples, oranges, and figs should be allowed. Meals
should be at regular hours. Foods that can be used: