Constipation : its causes and consequences with some hints for its prevention and cure / by a country clergyman.

  • Country clergyman.
Date:
1871
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Constipation : its causes and consequences with some hints for its prevention and cure / by a country clergyman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    tutioiis vary, and while some may be found capable of going several days without a call of Nature, who seem to suffer no inconvenience thereby, others cannot go for a single day without evacuation of their bowels. I believe, however, that it is only the very aged who can allow Constipation to exist for any length of time, without suffering sensibly from their neglect of Nature’s laws. I need not dilate further on the consequences of this evil, as I presume those who read these pages have done so from a sense of the danger of suffering it to go on unchecked. I was, in my boyhood, a great sufferer from this very cause, owing, I believe, in great part, to the existence of worms (ascarides) in my interior. These well-known creatures often cause either Constipation or Eelaxation of the Bowels ; in my own case the irritation they caused about the anus, especially towards night, when they seemed to be roused into unusual activity, made my evenings fearfully miserable. The best remedy for these little tormentors, I may remark in passing, is a liberal use of salt, especially to vegetables, which should be used but sparingly, never in an uncooked state, and sweets should be strictly forbidden. After some years battling with this great enemy of my peace. Constipation, I remember an old navy-surgeon, who was on friendly terms with our family, suggesting a remedy, to which my parents, after applying almost every medicine to no purpose, gave their consent, and to which, whether willing or no, I was compelled to sub¬ mit. Invited to his house to spend the day, I was regaled after breakfast with a condiment which had always great attractions for me, a lump of sugar ! upon which had been poured one drop of croton oil (enough by the way, to kill a dog), the effect of this was rapid and complete — a day of successive, or rather alternate, vomiting and purging, was the immediate result of the well-timed dose, which I believe, did me great present and lasting benefit. I should hesitate to advise this course in ordinary cases, but I should think that in