The reservoir having been filled as directed and the above directions carefully observed, the “Cascade” should be laid down and the “injection point” screwed in. It is then ready for use. Being all ready, the stick of rectal soap should be dipped in water—to moisten it—inserted in the rectum and withdrawn. This is simply to lubricate the passage and facilitate the admission of the “injection point.” Then, standing in front of the seat on which the “Cascade” is lying (as if preparing to sit down), pass the left hand between the lower limbs and grasp the handle of the faucet, to guide the “injection point” into the rectum, and then carefully sit down upon the “Cascade.” When the “injection point” has been completely introduced and you are comfortably seated, relax the muscles and allow the whole weight of the body to rest freely on the “Cascade,” and turn on the faucet, partially at first, then, after a few seconds, turn it on fully and you will readily receive the water.
The most convenient place to use the “Cascade” is in the bathroom, placing it on the closet seat; or you will find the ordinary bedroom “commode” a suitable article for the purpose, but if neither of these are available, then any firm seat, such as a wooden-seated chair, will do, but taking care to have a vessel at hand in which to discharge the contents of the bowel.
As soon as the faucet is turned on and the water begins to flow into the body, proceed to practise the following movements: Commencing in the right groin, stroke firmly but gently, right across the pelvis, or lower edge of the abdomen, to the left groin, then directly upward with the hands to a point just above the umbilicus, or navel, then straight across the body and down to the right groin. These movements are directly over and along the course of the colon, and if they are made gently but firmly, the water will be assisted on its course. A study of the diagram of the digestive apparatus at the commencement of the book will be of great assistance in enabling you to understand the reason for and the method of these movements.
It sometimes happens that after a small quantity of water has been injected there is a strong desire to expel it, which is sometimes due to nervousness, induced by the novelty of the operation. If this be so, shut off the faucet at once and resist the inclination, when, in a few minutes, the desire will have passed away, then turn on the faucet again. Be sure to allow the full weight of the body to rest on the “Cascade,” and have no fear. It is the weight of the body itself that furnishes the motive power and to ease up the pressure defeats the object.
As soon as all the water has entered that you feel it possible to receive, turn off the faucet, rise from the “Cascade,” sit over the closet, or vessel, and allow the contents of the bowel to escape. At the same time repeat the stroking movement previously described, but this time reverse it, commencing in the right groin, up, across and down to the left groin. These movements have a three-fold object: they assist the water in its passage backward and forward, thus shortening the time of the treatment; they force along the accumulated matter in the colon with the current of water, and help to dislodge adherent matter from the walls of the colon.
As we proceed on the assumption that the colon is more or less impacted (which experience shows), we do not anticipate that more than two quarts will be received at the first treatment, but as the accumulations are removed by successive treatments, the capacity of the colon is increased, so that at the end of the second week enough should be received to completely fill the colon. The amount of water varies, of course, with the bulk of the individual, but the capacity of the colon, in the average well-grown adult, is about four quarts, but even in the case of a person below the average size, it may safely be assumed that three quarts of water are absolutely necessary for a successful treatment.
The presence of from three to four quarts of water in the body will naturally distend the abdomen and produce a little discomfort, but no apprehension of any harmful result need be entertained. Rest assured of this: it is absolutely impossible to rupture the colon, unless you were to use a force pump, and even then, before the point of rupture could be reached, the pain would be so intense that you would be compelled to desist. Again, as we have pointed out, the colon is a wonderfully elastic organ, and it would be an impossibility to distend it with water to the same extent that it is frequently distended by fæcal accumulations.