6. Tea of white oak bark, boiled down so as to be strong, and mixed with lard and applied frequently, is good as an astringent, but not for the very painful kind. It will take down the swelling.
7. Take a rectal injection of cold water before the regular daily stool. This will soften the feces and decrease the congestion.
Preventive Treatment.—This is very important and includes habits and diet and other diseases. If the patient is thin and pale give tonics. Correct any disease of any neighboring organ. Attend to any disease that may be present.
For Constipation.—Take a small dose of salts or hunyadi water so as to have one semi-solid stool daily. If necessary remove any feces that may even then be retained, by injections of soap suds or warm water containing oil. Discontinue injections as soon as a daily full stool can be had without it.
Habits.—Full-blooded people should not use upholstered chairs as the heat of the body relaxes the tissues of the rectum. A cane seated chair is best or an air cushion with a hollow center. It is best to rest in bed, if possible, after stool for the rest relieves the congestion and soreness. An abundance of out-door exercise, when the piles are not present, or bad, consisting of walking or simple gymnastics may usually be indulged in; violent gymnastics and horseback riding must be avoided. A daily stool must be secured.
Diet.—Such patients should avoid alcoholic beverages, spiced foods, strong coffee, and tea, cheese, cabbage, and old beans.
Foods Allowed.—Potatoes, carrots, spinach, asparagus, and even salads, since they stimulate intestinal action and thus aid in keeping the stool soft. Stewed fruits, including grapes, oranges, pears, and apples. Water is the best to drink. Meats: tender broiled, boiled or baked beef—do not eat the inside part to any great amount. Other meats, but no pork or ham, fresh fish, chicken. The foods should not be too highly seasoned; vinegar is not to be used to any extent and this excludes pickles, etc.
PERIPROCTITIS. Abscess Around the Anus and Rectum. (Ano-rectal) (Ischio- rectal Abscess).—This is an inflammation of the tissues around the rectum which usually terminates in the above named abscess. It occurs mostly in middle-aged people. Men are affected more often than women.
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Causes.—Sitting in cold, damp hard seats; horseback riding, foreign bodies in the rectum such as pins, fish-hooks, etc., blows on the part, kicks, tubercular constitution, etc.