Intestinal irrigation

by Alcinous B. Jamison

The seventh objection is quite naïve: “Inasmuch as the Indians of this country had no use for the enema, why should we resort to it?”

The all-sufficient answer to this objection is that the Indians lived a natural life, while ours is artificial. Much can be said on this point, but the reader is surely rational enough to follow out the distinction suggested. Our lives are much more important than were the lives of the aborigines of this country, and our “demands of Nature” are more exigent. If your life is of no greater value than theirs, for leisure’s sake don’t use the enema! You will be taking too much trouble. It really should seem that the cleanliness of the skin and mucous membrane, the care we take of our bodies, is an indication and measure of our sense of refinement. An ancient Scripture hath it: “Let those that are filthy, be filthy still.” It all depends upon how you wish to be classed—with the filthy or the cleanly.

The eighth objection to be noted is the fear of “poking things” (points of instruments) “into the rectum.”

This looks like a real objection. No healthy, nor even unhealthy, organ, for that matter, should be “abused.” And what seems more likely to cause it trouble than to poke a hard- or soft-rubber point or tube through its vent in opposition to its bent or inclination? Still, the muscles of the vent are strong, and they soon accommodate themselves to the practice. Their slight disinclination is not to be considered alongside of the relief and cure you effectuate by the use of the enema.

Have no fear that the point will occasion disease when intelligently used. Always see to it that the point is scrupulously clean. Those made of hard rubber or metal can be kept so without effort. Soft-rubber points are always foul and dangerous, especially after they are used a few times. A good rule is never to put a point higher in the bowel than is absolutely necessary.

The ninth objection seems serious. It is that in taking an enema the water escaping from the syringe point will injure the mucous membrane where the jet strikes. But on examination this objection falls to the ground; for it stands to reason the jet cannot directly hit the surface for more than a moment. Immediately thereafter the accumulation of water will force the jet to spend its energy on the increasing volume, to lift it out of the way so that the continuous inflow may find room.

But even were it possible for the jet to strike a definite section of the mucous membrane during the taking of the enema, it could do no harm provided the water be at the proper temperature. And this is true even if a hydrant pressure be used. Not a few persons use the hydrant pressure of their houses in taking an enema. For a really successful flushing of the colon a considerable pressure is requisite to force the volume up and along a distance of five feet, especially when sitting upright. But it is folly to use a long syringe point, since it is like introducing one canal into another for the purpose of cleansing it. Therefore, have no fear from the use of proper syringe points; the jet of water will not hurt the mucous membrane. My professional brethren at least ought to know that the idea of such harm is sheer nonsense.

The tenth objection to using an enema is in being obliged to use it from the fact of having such a disease as chronic inflammation of the rectum and colon. Every victim hates to be compelled to do a thing; and the victim of proctitis and colitis is no exception to the rule. In fact, he is beginning to realize that unless he uses it his system will be poisoned by the absorption of the sewage waste. Let the victim object to the disease that necessitates the use of the enema, and all will shortly be well. Then this objection to the use of the enema will indeed be the most important of all.