After effects of glycerin enema

Growing up, my sisters and I were given a warm Ivory soap enema when we didn't go for two days. It was a half liter soapy solution to which 30 ml. of glycerin was added. We assumed a knee chest position and a bulb syringe was used initially but later a Higgenson syringe of mom or my oldest sister held a fountain syringe high and a douche nozzle delivered the enema. It was small yet very effective. We had to retain it until the urge to go was very strong. My girlfriend will give me a four ounce oil enema, mineral or olive oil, to which she adds an ounce of glycerin. While I retain it, she prepares a warm soapy solution enema of two liters. The first enema combines a strong urge to go with a lubricating effect. I then lie on my back with a thick pillow under my hips and she inserts the douche nozzle and holds the plastic enema can up to start my enema. I can see the enema level decrease in the can as my colon fills up. This is to wash out the oil and a second three liter soapy enema follows this and last is a three and a half or four liter rinse enema given slowly through a long colon tube. No after effects from the glycerin or the soap.

Glycerin enemas are a extremely effective way to initiate a bowel movement when you haven’t had one in a couple of days. I love the way they start your bowels moving without the hard cramps and contractions that bisacodyl cause. I just make sure that I don’t over do it. I like to use a couple of table spoons added to a quart of warm water. Or even occasionally I use a small liquid glycerin suppository when you just need a little help. This has helped me a few times when you want a gentle and not harsh treatment , along with a stool softener, to help get you going again without straining.

@Sean There may have been some use in dealing with resistant Victorian children but most likely what drove the Nannies and Nurses use of glycerin was insuring those venturing out of the home were prepared for the outing when given short notice.

Public restrooms during the Victorian years and beyond left a lot to be desired in cleanliness. So the matriarch in a family did not want to stop while venturing out, for use of public facilities that frequently had liquids on the floor and toilets that might have been cleaned once a year. The proper Victorian woman's dress would easily be soiled in such facilities while caring for a child. Add into the equation, if visiting a friend, it was considered poor form to use your host's toileting facility, the chamberpot. In addition to the house staff carrying out the chamberpot immediately after use, most housekeeping staff would fire up the lavender burner to overwhelm any odors unleashed during the visit. It was embarrassing for both the guest and the host. The other wart in the lifestyle for women was the layered clothing. Many were corseted, making removal of undergarments time consuming and tedious. In order to use the chamberpot, women usually had to substantially disrobe, as the outer dress with the hoop skirt/panier/bustle made setting on the pot dangerous if not removed.

Proper Victorian women were well acquainted with the fine art of clearing the colon to open a time window where they could venture out for upwards of eight to twelve hours, leaving only voiding as an issue. They carefully chose foods that did not disrupt the bowel, did not produce flatulence to a troublesome degree and did not produce patently offensive pungent odors. If the matriarch was taking children along, the nanny or other carer was alerted so that plans could be made to insure the children's colon's were similarly cleared.

If taking the children was an impromptu decision, and time was short then glycerin often was the Nanny's weapon of choice. Preparation took a minute, results occurred in minutes, and an uncooperative retentive child was literally forced to poop.

Another thing during the Victorian era was use of pure glycerin. 50% Water-50% glycerin in more than sufficient to induce movement and creates less discomfort. 1 - 2 milliLitres of glycerin will move the most resistant gut in five to ten minutes. The imported Asian figs are pure glycerin and provide a delivered dose of about 10 to 25 milliLitres glycerin. Movement with 25 milliLitres will occur within two minutes, often involuntarily. If it takes longer then there is normally some neurological disorder that dulls the stimulus.

@SAP - do you know how he made the dissolving glycerin suppositories?

@Victoria1951

Perhaps. A syringe of glycerin certainly will make almost anyone poo within minutes. We agree on that. But, as others agree, often their effect is not limited to a single poo, and the later ones are often very urgent.

Your point about a person not wanting to poo away from home in Victorian times is well taken, but in high society I'd expect the host's chamber maid would be quite prepaed to help a visiting lady pee and poo, as needed. It was just not talked about.

How do you know the glycerin used in Victorian times was concentrated? In playing with several of them, it actually seems they were designed for a solution containing more water than the modern product. Actually, it seems non-trivial to dehydrate the stuff. Whatever, I doubt there would be any real difference in poo response to 30% v. 100%.

Another thing. The Victorian glycerin syringes are difficult to use solo. They seem to be designed for use with the recipient lying on their tummy or perhaps OTK.

Also, most of the Asian figs I've seen are 50% glycerin.

Biggest one I have experienced is much worse nausea than a soapsuds, or saline enama,

Not counting what I did as a teen, as an adult the only enema that has actually caused me to vomit is a mostly-glycerin enerma.