The most natural relief for constipation is exercise,—particularly exercise directed to the muscles of the intestines and to the nerve centers controlling them.
Such foods as are laxative in effect, with the free use of water are helpful. Figs and raisins (due to their seeds), prunes, dates, grapes, apples, and rhubarb are laxative, due to their acids. These have best effect when eaten just before retiring.
Oatmeal, or any cereal containing the bran, is laxative,—such as bran bread or green corn.
As must be inferred from the above statement, the cause of the difficulty must first be reached.
Children should be trained to attend to Nature’s call regularly every day. The best time is shortly after breakfast.
Enteritis. (Inflammation or Catarrh of the Intestines) is similar in its nature to Gastritis or Catarrh of the Stomach and is treated in a similar manner.
Acute Enteritis, as Acute Gastritis, is usually caused by a strong irritant,—either by some food which disagrees, or by a mass of undigested food. A fast of two or three days is the initial dietetic treatment. A free drinking of water not only soothes the irritated intestines but it cleanses the intestinal tract and assists the kidneys in eliminating elements of fermentation; if these are not eliminated, they will absorb into the blood.
Physicians usually give a course of calomel and castor oil to eliminate all intestinal contents.
After the fast, a liquid and semi-liquid diet is followed until inflammation is relieved. Milk, strained gruels, broths, strained soups, buttermilk, eggs (soft cooked or raw), beef juice, barley water, custards, gelatines, soft puddings, etc., are the foods most nourishing and causing least irritation.