Salt, smoked, potted or preserved fish or meats, pork, liver, eggs, new
bread, puddings of rice or sago, pastry, milk, sweets, tea, nuts, cheese,
pineapple, spirituous liquors.
Foods classed as laxatives are honey, cider, molasses, and acid fruits,
such as apples, pears, peaches, cherries, and oranges. Berries are
effective laxatives on account of the acids and seeds they contain.
(Huckleberries are constipating). Prunes, dates and figs are good and
effective, also fruit juices.
[DIGESTIVE ORGANS 143]
Drinks.--There are few laxatives better than a glass of cold water or
preferably hot water, taken upon an empty stomach before breakfast; water
prevents the feces from becoming dry and massed, and stimulates the
intestinal movements. A pinch of salt added to the water increases its
effectiveness.
Out-door Exercise.--This should be taken regularly and freely.
Bathing.--The best time is before breakfast, and in as cold water as
possible. The bath should be followed by a thorough rubbing of the skin
with a Turkish towel.
Clothing.--Warm clothing in winter; cool clothing in summer. Cold weather
induces constipation, and warm weather diarrhea. Moderate manner of living
is everything.
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Constipation. 1. One year to three years.--For
infants one teaspoonful or less of black molasses or store syrup, or of
olive oil; and Mellin's food eaten dry, is good for babies a year and
older.
2. Small Children.--Increase cream in the milk, give oatmeal or barley
water. Castile soap suppository, enema, massage, castor oil, or citrate of
magnesia if drugs are needed.
3. Older Children.--In older children, fruit, oatmeal, etc. Black molasses
is good for children, one to two teaspoonfuls.
4. Fluid Extract of Cascara Sagrada.--Dose: ten to sixty drops at night.
This is good for a great many cases and sometimes it cures the trouble,
but on the other hand it seems to injure some people.
5. The Aromatic Cascara is also good; doses are larger and pleasant to
take. This is more agreeable for children.
6. The Compound Licorice Powder is a mild, simple laxative and effective.
It is composed of senna eighteen parts, licorice root powder sixteen
parts, fennel eight parts, washed sulphur eight parts, sugar fifty parts.
Dose:--One to two teaspoonfuls.