a. Peebles mentions a case of suspension of the functions of the
kidneys more than once for five weeks, the patient exhibiting neither
coma, stupor, nor vomiting. Oke speaks of total suppression of urine
during seven days, with complete recovery; and Paxon mentions a case in
a child that recovered after five days' suppression. Russell reports a
case of complete obstructive suppression for twenty days followed by
complete recovery. Scott and Shroff mention recovery after nine days'
suppression.

The most persistent constipation may exist for weeks, or even months,
with fair health. The fact seemed to be a subject of much interest to
the older writers. De Cabalis mentions constipation lasting
thirty-seven days; Caldani, sixty-five days; Lecheverel, thirty-four
days; and Pomma, eight months; Sylvaticus, thirty months; Baillie,
fifteen weeks; Blanchard, six weeks; Smetius, five mouths; Trioen,
three months; Devilliers, two years; and Gignony, seven years. Riverius
mentions death following constipation of one month, and says that the
intestines were completely filled. Moosman mentions death from the same
cause in sixty days. Frank speaks of constipation from intestinal
obstructions lasting for three weeks, and Manget mentions a similar
case lasting three months.

Early in the century Revolat reported in Marseilles an observation of
an eminently nervous subject addicted to frequent abuse as regards
diet, who had not had the slightest evacuation from the bowel for six
months. A cure was effected in this case by tonics, temperance,
regulation of the diet, etc. In Tome xv of the Commentaries of Leipzig
there is an account of a man who always had his stercoral evacuations
on Wednesdays, and who suffered no evil consequences from this
abnormality. This state of affairs had existed from childhood, and, as
the evacuations were abundant and connected, no morbific change or
malformation seemed present. The other excretions were slightly in
excess of the ordinary amount. There are many cases of constipation on
record lasting longer than this, but none with the same periodicity and
without change in the excrement. Tommassini records the history of a
man of thirty, living an ordinary life, who became each year more
constipated. Between the ages of twenty and twenty-four the evacuations
were gradually reduced to one in eight or ten days, and at the age of
twenty-six, to one every twenty-two days. His leanness increased in
proportion to