amping pain the dose would
otherwise occasion, has no legitimate reason to indulge in the hope of
a cure or of even moderate relief of the real source of trouble--the
proctitis. It is proceeding on the liver theory, when the key is, as
has been shown in these articles, _Proctitis_, inflammation of the
anus and rectum. Physicians ignorant of the key to all bowel troubles
even prescribe strychnine in order to stimulate bowels which have
already an excessive amount of stimulation due to the presence of the
proctitis, which, as has been said, over-stimulates the lower bowels
because of the inflammation.

The chronic character of proctitis of many years' duration, improperly
diagnosed and treated, must necessarily compel a rather long and
continued use of the enema, especially so if not accompanied by proper
local treatment of all the inflamed surface. I should not care to treat
patients suffering from proctitis, constipation, etc., unless they used
the enema twice a day. The feces and gases should escape the bowels at
least twice in twenty-four hours. Any less than two stools a days is
abnormal and will result in infection and disease. You may not always
succeed in having two stools when first treating the local disease, but
what you properly start out to accomplish will be attained in due time.

Free evacuation of the contents of the bowels should occur at least
twice in twenty-four hours. This can be accomplished by injecting into
the colon from one to four quarts of warm water. Before taking the
large injection, relieve the bowels of any gas seeking liberation, and
of course, also, of whatever feces may come readily. Then take a small
injection, using very little water: just enough to bring on a relief of
as much feces and gas as possible. It is not well to drive the gas back
and up into the colon; hence the precaution to suggest a further
passage with a small quantity of water before taking the large
injection.

Enemata, and also the use of the recurrent douche, can in no way be
harmful--if the water be of a proper temperature--to a normal or even
to a diseased bowel; therefore the fear of habit is absurd and should
not receive a moment's consideration. The length of time during which
the enemata and the douche are to be used, whether months or years,
will depend on the character of the disease that made its use
necessary.

CHAPTER XXIV.

MAN'S BEST FRIEND.

Travel the world from end to end
You