and down to the left lower side and center, accompanying the pressure by kneading the parts thoroughly with the fingers.  Repeat this several times for about ten to twelve minutes.  At first this should be practised every day; later twice a week.  Special treatment should be given the small intestines and liver when the bile and intestinal secretion are lessened.  In children gentle rubbing of the abdomen with circular movements from right to left with a little oil for ten minutes daily will help to increase the action of the bowels and often bring on a normal movement.

Copious Warm Water Injections.—­This is good at the beginning of the treatment when the feces become packed.  They soften the mass and aid its discharge.  The water must go above the rectum into the colon.  To do this a colon tube from eighteen to twenty-four inches long, a good syringe (the Davidson bulb) hard rubber piston or a fountain syringe, the nozzle of which can be inserted into the tube, are required.  The patient is placed in the lying down position on the left side with knees drawn up, with the hips elevated.  Oil the tube and pass it gently and slowly up the bowel for a few inches until it meets with a slight obstruction.  A few ounces of water are then forced through the tube and at the same time pressure is made upward with the tube; by these means the obstruction will be lifted out of the way each time the tube meets with resistance; the procedure must be repeated until the tube is well within the colon.  Attach the syringe to the tube and allow the water to run until the colon is distended.  A quart to a gallon of warm water can be used depending upon the age and amount of feces present.  The water should be retained as long as possible.

The injections should be continued daily until all the feces has been removed.  They should not be used for weeks as has been recommended.  If soap suds are used in the enema, green or soft soap should be used, not the hard soap.

Electricity.—­One pole may be placed over the spinal column and the other moved about over the course of the colon, or one over the spine and the other over the rectum.

Again constipation is caused by the womb lying upon the rectum.  Change this condition. (See diseases of women).

[142 Mothers’ remedies]

Rules.—­Patients should go to stool daily at the same hour, usually after the morning meal.  You can educate the bowel to act daily at the same hour or after breakfast; or on the other hand not more than once in two or three days in those who are careless in their habits.  Some patients need to have two or three movements daily in order to feel well.  It may take time to educate the bowels to do this, but it can be done in many cases and many persons become constipated because they put off attending to the educated bowel’s call, and often produce constipation by carelessness.  It is surprising how many educated people put off this duty; Nature