. If drastic, irritating physic be taken, only
_temporary_ relief is afforded, and it must be repeatedly resorted to,
and the dose increased, to obtain the desired effect.

SYMPTOMS. One diagnostic symptom of a loaded state of the colon, is an
abundant secretion of urine, as limpid as water. The direct symptoms
relate to the hardness of the feces and the great difficulty of voiding
them. The influence of constipation upon the functions of the liver, is
indicated by the sympathy displayed between that organ and the mind. The
patient manifests apprehension, mental depression, taciturnity, and
melancholy, all indicative of hypochondriac dejection, induced by
constipation.

We have treated patients, who, from this cause, had renounced their
bright hopes, lost their buoyant spirits, and, becoming subject to
superstitious fears, had given themselves up, night and day, to
devotions and penance. It often happens that the victims of this deep
dejection and morbid feeling of self-abasement, are persons not only of
good moral character, but of high religious attainments, and their
painful exhibitions of fear, distrust, and gloom, originate in
_physical_ rather than in spiritual causes. It is interesting to witness
this strange perversion of the imagination, this morbid debasement of
the religious faculties, and dejection of mind, due to causes disturbing
the functions of the liver and other vital organs.

Young girls, as they approach the age of puberty, seem possessed with
the idea that the unfrequent action of the bowels is a desirable habit.
They do not associate with the duty a proper regard for health, but
consider it as an inelegant and repugnant practice. The consequence is,
that at this susceptible period, constipation, induced by neglect,
arouses a latent hepatic or pulmonary disease which has been lurking in
the system.

How many girls illustrate the truth of this statement by their
complaints of dizziness, throbbing pain in the forehead and temples,
flushing of the face, transient flushes of heat over the body, while at
the same time the extremities are cold. At other times, they manifest
the evils of such a course by their stupor, drowsiness, and deep sleep,
although upon arising in the morning, they are still tired and
unrefreshed.

The constipated condition of the bowels, often leads to congestion of
the uterus and leucorrhea, followed by uterine debility, prolapsus,
excessive menstruation, anteversion or retro