CONSTIPATION.
This condition of the system has been so frequently referred to already that further comment upon it may be deemed unnecessary. Its causes are varied, insufficient exercise in the open air, hastily eaten and imperfectly masticated food, also many articles of food tend to induce the evil of habitual constipation.
Whatever you may do, avoid everything in the form of drugs, for they are injurious in the highest degree. The continual excitation of the excretory processes by the use of cathartics is a most pernicious practice and should be shunned. A constant indulgence in the “purgative habit” often renders the coating of the stomach so sensitive that even the presence of food in that organ irritates it and is frequently hurried out half digested.
The “Cascade” should be used each alternate day, for at least two weeks, then, twice a week, until improvement is assured. Drink a tumblerful of hot water, not less than half an hour before breakfast and eat freely of fruit at that meal. Also partake liberally of good, green vegetables at other meals. Eating whole-wheat bread is of decided assistance, and make it a rule to drink from two to three pints of water each day.
PILES OR HEMORRHOIDS.
This is a disease of the rectum and muscles of the anus, and is the direct result of constipation. The accumulation of hardened fæcal matter distends the sigmoid flexure, causing inflammation, until from its own weight it falls down, producing prolapse of the bowels. Frequently ulceration follows and the bowel is pressed out, tumors forming on the protruding portion.
Bleeding piles are caused by congestion of the rectal blood vessels. The constant nerve irritation causes muscular contraction, consequently circulation is interfered with, producing a condition of engorgement. Owing to lack of nutrition the structures become brittle and quantities of the varicosed capillaries unite to form pile tumors. The methods of treatment usually employed are, injecting astringents into the tumors to dry them up; to ligate the tumors, that they may die or drop off, or to amputate the portion of the rectum in which the tumors form (known as the radical operation), none of which prevent a return of the trouble. The only rational plan is to remove the cause.