In constipation of the bowels, when the stomach is naturally weak, and
cannot bear purgatives, recourse must be had to clysters. When phlegm
is contained in the intestines, the clyster may be composed of the
decoctions of dried figs, and of beet, nitre, the root of the wild
cucumber, honey, and the oil of chamomile or dill. But when the complaint
proceeds from dryness they may be composed of those of marsh-mallows,
fenugreek, chamomile, oil, and a small quantity of honey. And sometimes
oil alone, injected to the amount of half a hemina, will produce the
desired effect; but even this must not be repeated constantly, lest
nature, becoming accustomed to these things, should forget to perform the
evacuation spontaneously.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. Hippocrates frequently recommends the administration of
clysters. Herodotus mentions that the ancient Egyptians had recourse to
clysters at stated periods every month. (ii, 77.)
Oribasius has treated of the composition of clysters, and the cases in
which they are to be applied so fully in the eighth book of his ‘Medica
Collectanea,’ that he may be said to have exhausted the subject. It
appears, from his account, that the ancients used a syringe for throwing
up injections. A large clyster, he says, amounts to three heminæ, a small
one to one hemina, and a moderate one to two heminæ (two pints). (Synops.
i, 19.)
Celsus, after some very appropriate observations on the cases which
are benefited by clysters, concludes with the following directions for
the composition of them: Plain water may be injected, if the case be
slight; or honied water, if stronger means be required; if emollients
be indicated, the decoction of mallows, of fenugreek, or ptisan may be
used; or if astringents be proper, vervain. Acrid clysters may be formed
of sea-water, or with the addition of some salt, and their strength may
be increased by boiling. Such a clyster may be rendered still more acrid
by the addition of oil, nitre, or honey. He remarks that the more acrid
a clyster is, the greater will be its purgative effect, but the more
difficult will it be to bear. He says it ought to be neither hot nor
cold. After the injection has been thrown up, he recommends the person to
remain quiet, and to resist the first desire to go to stool. (ii, 12.)
Aëtius treats of clysters very fully. He prefaces his account of the mode
of administering them, with a correct detail of the evils arising from
constipation, which, he justly remarks, is the precursor of most of the
ills which break out in the human frame. (iii, 159.)
See a long list of prescriptions for clysters in Serapion. (De Antidotis,
tr. vii, 26.) Rhases and Avicenna give a full account of the nature of
clysters, but supply no additional information on the subject.