Mix."
Adults may take a teaspoonful of this mixture before retiring, this will be found very effective in the most stubborn cases of constipation.
11. Constipation, Remedy from a Mother at Lee, Ma.s.sachusetts.--
"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 r.e.c.t.u.m 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 ma.s.sage.
3--Copious injection of warm water (in the beginning only).
4--Application of electricity over the abdomen and in the r.e.c.t.u.m.
[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 pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.s 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 a.n.u.s 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 impa.s.sable barrier to the discharge of the feces, now offers only pa.s.sive 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 quant.i.ties of feces do not now acc.u.mulate; 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 Ma.s.sage. (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 rec.u.mbent 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 ma.s.s and aid its discharge. The water must go above the r.e.c.t.u.m 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 pa.s.s 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 r.e.c.t.u.m.
Again constipation is caused by the womb lying upon the r.e.c.t.u.m. 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, alb.u.minoids 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:
May Take--
Soups.--Meat broths, oyster soup.
Fish.--Boiled fish of all kinds, raw oysters.
Meats.--Almost any fresh tender meat, poultry, game, not fried.
Farinaceous.--Oatmeal, wheaten grits, mush, hominy, whole wheat bread, corn bread, graham bread, rye bread.
Vegetables.--Boiled onions, brussels sprouts, spinach, cauliflower, potatoes, asparagus, green corn, green peas, string beans, salads with oil.
Desserts.--Stewed prunes, figs, baked apples with cream, ripe peaches, pears, oranges, apples, melons, grapes, cherries, raisins, honey, plain puddings, fig puddings, apple charlotte.
Drinks.--Plenty of pure water, cold or hot, new cider, b.u.t.termilk, orange juice, unfermented grape juice.
Must Not Take--
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 cla.s.sed as laxatives are honey, cider, mola.s.ses, 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 gla.s.s of cold water or preferably hot water, taken upon an empty stomach before breakfast; water prevents the feces from becoming dry and ma.s.sed, 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 mola.s.ses 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, ma.s.sage, castor oil, or citrate of magnesia if drugs are needed.
3. Older Children.--In older children, fruit, oatmeal, etc. Black mola.s.ses 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.