6.  Antispasmodic enemata to relieve flatulence such as the turpentine enemata.

7.  Anthelmintic (against worms) for destroying worms; salt, turpentine and quassia are used.

8.  Antiseptic or germicidal enemata used in dysentery.

9.  Stimulating enemata, like hot water, hot strong coffee, hot whisky and water, salt water.

10.  To relieve thirst, water one pint or normal salt solution (one dram to a pint of water) and injected high up.

[Nursing department 639]

Enemata are given either high or low.

A high enemas thrown high up into the bowel.

A low enema is injected into the rectum only, through a hard rubber tip to a syringe.

Directions.—­There are many ways of giving a simple enema.

Position.—­A good way is to place an adult patient on his left side, with the knees bent up close.  Protect the bed with a rubber sheet and towel under the patient.  The basin of water can be placed on the rubber sheet and the enema given under cover.

Amount.—­An adult person will take one to four pints.  A child one-half to one pint.  For an infant about two ounces will do.

What material?  A simple enema can be made with good castile soap or good brown soap and water, temperature about 95 degrees F. When ready for use make into a good suds.

Syringe.—­Use a bulb syringe, see that the syringe is filled full to the nozzle before the nozzle is put into the bowel.  Any air left in the syringe will pass into the bowel and cause pain.  Oil the nozzle with vaselin or sweet oil and then gently put the nozzle into the rectum.  It is better to introduce an oiled finger through the sphincter muscle and pass the nozzle along the finger and gently into the bowel.  It should be in the bowel two or three inches.  Do not attempt to force the nozzle through any obstruction.  Introduce the water slowly in a gentle and steady stream.  The main object is to distend the rectum by means of the water, thereby producing reflex stimulation.  The worm-like movement of the bowels results, thus bringing about an evacuation.  The patient should retain it for ten or fifteen minutes to get the best results.  A folded towel placed against the anus will assist the patient in resisting the desire to expel the water.  A large amount should be given in one-half hour if the first one does not produce the desired result.

Sometimes a laxative enema is necessary.—­Olive oil or glycerin or castor oil may be used.

For olive oil, six ounces may be given in a hard rubber syringe; this is seldom successful unless followed by a soap suds enema in one-half hour.

Glycerin enema, one-half ounce with equal quantity of warm water 95 degrees F., and give with a hard rubber syringe.  This generally proves successful, without an additional soap suds enema.

For infants and children the contents of a straight medicine dropper will be sufficient.