These pages were written for intelligent laymen by a specialist, during a busy, assiduous practice. I take such radical ground, however, going to the very root of the matter, that the general practitioner will do well to give my thesis his careful consideration; he should at least glance at the following Introduction for the gist of my claim.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
CHAPTER I.
Man, Composed almost wholly of Water, is Constipated. Why?[1]
CHAPTER II.
The Physics of Digestion and Egestion[12]
CHAPTER III.
The Interdependence of Anus, Rectum, Sigmoid Flexure and Colon[24]
CHAPTER IV.
Indigestion, Intestinal Gas and Other Matters[29]
CHAPTER V.
Key to Auto-Infection[36]
CHAPTER VI.
How Auto-Infection Affects the Gastric Digestion, and Vice Versa[46]
CHAPTER VII.
How Auto-Infection Affects Intestinal Digestion, and Vice Versa[56]
CHAPTER VIII.
The Cause of Constipation and how we ignorantly Treat it[64]
CHAPTER IX.
Cures for Constipation: "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made"[71]
CHAPTER X.
Biliousness and Bilious Attacks[78]
CHAPTER XI.
King Liver and Bile-Bouncers[83]
CHAPTER XII.
Semi-Constipation and Its Dangers[89]
CHAPTER XIII.
The Etiology of the Most Common Form Of Diarrhea, i.e., Excessive Intestinal Peristalsis[98]
CHAPTER XIV.
Ballooning of the Rectum[107]
CHAPTER XV.
Ballooning of the Rectum—continued[117]
CHAPTER XVI.
The Usual Diagnosis and Treatment of Bowel Troubles Wrong[126]
CHAPTER XVII.
Costiveness[132]
CHAPTER XVIII.
Inflammation[137]
CHAPTER XIX.
Proctitis and Piles[148]
CHAPTER XX.
Pruritus or Itching of the Anus[156]
CHAPTER XXI.
Abscess and Fistula[164]
CHAPTER XXII.
The Origin and Use of the Enema[173]
CHAPTER XXIII.
How often should an Enema be Taken?[180]
CHAPTER XXIV.
Man's Best Friend[190]
CHAPTER XXV.
Physiological Irrigation[191]
CHAPTER XXVI.
Proper Treatment for Diseases of Anus and Rectum Essential[202]
CHAPTER XXVII.
The Body's Book-keeping[215]
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Selection and Preparation of Food[220]
CHAPTER XXIX.
Diet for Indigestion[227]
CHAPTER XXX.
Diet for Constipation and Obstipation[231]
CHAPTER XXXI.
Costiveness, Diet, etc.[235]
CHAPTER XXXII.
Diet for Diarrhea[237]
A Final Word[240]
NO. 1.
Chronic Constipation and the Use of the Enema[245]
NO. 2.
Objections to the Use of Enema Answered[257]

INTRODUCTION.

The keynote of this book is Proctitis, inflammation of the anal and rectal canals. Hardly a civilized man escapes proctitis from the day of the diaper to that of death. The diaper is in truth chiefly responsible for proctitis, and proctitis is in turn chiefly responsible for chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, auto-infection; and hence for mal-assimilation, mal-nutrition, anemia; and for a thousand and one reflex functional derangements of the system as well. The inflamed surface of the intestinal canal (proctitis) inhibits the passage of feces. Absorbent glands begin to act on the retained sewage, and the whole system becomes more or less infected with poisonous bacteria. Various organs (especially the feeblest) endeavor to perform vicarious defecation, and the patient, the friends, and even the physician are deceived by such vicarious performance into thinking and treating it as a local ailment. I cannot, accordingly, insist too emphatically that proctitis, the exciting cause, must be treated primarily if we would cure chronic constipation. Millions of human beings are sent to untimely graves by these ailments. Indeed, the body of nearly every human being is a pest-house of absorbed poison instead of being the worthy temple of a wondrous soul. All due to Proctitis!

INTESTINAL ILLS

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