Enemas in literature

In spite of revolting scatological details Chapter XXVI of Tobias Smollett's "Roderick Random" discusses the administration of "clysters" which are mentioned elsewhere in the novel. It's in the common domain and available online from Google Books and elsewhere.

The only thing I can think of, is Chuck Palahniuk's RANT, in where one of the supporting characters is a disabled girl who poses as an escort to couples for threesomes, just so they end up feeling bad for her and never actually goin through with it.

They reference one of her items in her kink bag as being a 'clearly used' enema bag...referencing it was dirty looking. eew lol

There have been many mentions of the enema references in the blockbuster book, "Peyton Place," written by Grace Metalious and published in 1956. It caused a stir, not only in this country, but around the world. It was banned in many libraries, not sold in many bookstores and in spite of all that became an instant bestseller.

Sadly, this outstanding author lived a very short life. Born in September of 1924, she died of liver disease February 2, 1964 at the age of thirty-nine. I recently finished a fairly poorly written book about her life written by her first and third husband, George Metalious. His coauthor for the book was June O'Shea and I am guessing she wrote the book and he told the stories to put in the book. The book is titled, "The Girl from Peyton Place," and in the book he mentions that the Norman Page character in Peyton Place was in reality the product of another short story that Grace had written earlier, about a domineering mother and her submissive son, and she had simply incorporated mother son realtionship in Peyton Place. There is no mention of how long the story was and it apparently was never published.

The enema references in the book have been terribly misquoted by many, including myself, and so I thought I would supply the direct quotes from the book.

In chapter 15, book one, (the book is divided into three parts) the first mention of enemas is made. "Norman would have to run, except if he arrived home panting and flushing his mother would think he was sick again and put him to bed. She might even give him an enema, and while Norman always got a bittersweet sort of pleasure from that, he always had to stay in bed afterward. Today he decided that getting the enema was not worth the hours alone that were sure to follow, so he forced himself to walk."

Later in chapter 15, Norman decides to run. " 'Let's run,' suggested Norman, forgetting his mother, the enema, everything , for Mrs. Hester's house looked suddenly to him as if it were about to sprout arms, ready to engulf children and sweep them through the front door of the brown shingled cottage."

In book two, the last part of chapter two, the sexual reference to the enema is made. " 'The trouble with you Seth,' said the doctor with mock severity, 'is that you think of all sex in terms of a men sleeping with women. It's not always so. Let me tell you about a case I saw once, a young boy with the worst case of dehydration I ever saw. It came from getting too many enemas that he didn't need. Sex with a capital S-E-X."

Finally at the end of chapter 18 in book two, Norman gets an enema. " 'Your little tummy is all upset, dear,' she said gently, 'I'll give you an enema and put you to bed.' 'Yes,' gasped Norman.' 'Yes, please,' and in his head everything kept running together."

And those are the enema references from Peyton Place. Sadly, Grace Metalious was not able to handle her own fame and the huge amount of ridicule that came from so many others because she dared to tell the truth, and she started to drink heavily. Actually she was even required to change part of the book before Dell would publish it. In the original manuscript Grace had character Selena Cross's father impregnating her and she was forced to change it to her stepfather.

The ruckus the book created really drove home the point of what a hypocritical society we live in. It is still, today, a great read and I would recommend it to anyone.

In September of last year, Bardexter says that there is a line in Neil Simon's play, "Brighton Beach Memoirs" where a woman tells a man he needs an enema. I think Bardexter is thinking of a scene in Woody Allen's film "Radio Days", where the narrator's uncle goes next door to tell the gentile neighbors to keep quite because it's Passover and when he finally returns home he admits that while there he ate french fries (I think) among other non-kosher things and his enraged wife yells "He deserves an enema!" Still makes me laugh. I don't remember that line the the Simon play, though.

For those who are "fans" of Norman Page and would like to be, or identify with him, here is more info on the Norman Page character as he appeared in the novel Peyton Place.

In Emily Toth's biography of Grace Matelious, "Inside Peyton Place," she goes into more detail of Grace's further development of her Norman Page character and tells that the original publisher, Julian Messner, (who originally published the book in hardcover after it was recovered from a "slush pile" by a low level re-reader) censored her descriptions of the deep background character description of Norman.

Here is what was omitted from Peyton Place according to Emily Toth:

"Little Norman Page, Allison's sensitive childhood friend, also underwent some changes before the story saw print. In "Peyton Place," Norman's overprotective mother gives him enemas; he has wet dreams; town gossip claims that his mother 'tit fed' him until age four; and his mother still resents his relationship with Allison and insists he not see Allison again. But the manuscript includes another paragraph apparently too kinky for 1956. Norman agrees not to see Allison, and 'It had seemed to be the thing to do at the time, though, he thought, with his mother standing over him with a leather belt in her hand and him lying naked on the bed , not minding at all when she hit him. He had finally promised, and his mother had put salve on the welts and that were all over him, and she had kissed him and slept all night in a chair next to his bed.' "

So, even though this has nothing to do with enemas, I thought some might be interested in this additional information about about the life of Norman Page.

Just to add a few thoughts to faultless50's fine postings:

As I recall, he book was set during WWII, which might explain the absence of Norman's dad and possibly Salena's interest in giving him enemas as a sexual act.

I have read that residents of Metalious' New Hampshire town (Gilmanton?) did not appreciate the book. Could it have hit too close to home for some? In any case, enemas for whatever reason were popular and common then.

Actually, most of the story takes place pre-WWII. Also, Norman's father was a lot older that Evelyn, Norman's mother, and Norman has two sisters, "The Page Sisters" as they are referred to in Peyton Place, who are older than Norman's mother. In the book Dr. Matthew Swain blames the death of old man Page on being henpecked to death.

Salena Cross had no involvement with Norman at all in regards to enemas. Salina Cross is the character that is raped and impregnated by her stepfather and then kills him and buries him in the sheep pen beside their house. In her original manuscript, Grace Metalious had Salena raped and impregnated by her biological father, but they made her change it to her stepfather.

Thanks for the corrections; it's been a while since I read that book. in any case, the enema subtext probably did not come up in the movie or TV series based on the book.

Steinbeck had a great yarn in "Sweet Thursday", one of two short novels about life during the Great Depression on his home turf of Salinas and Monterey, California.

It seems that there was a group of local musicians, and one of them was practicing near the outlet of the local sewer system and thought the large pipe might cause the output from his trumpet to resonate,

so he aimed it toward the pipe, and every toilet in town gave a rendition of his work ("Stormy Weather", if I remember correctly) ....

just as one of the Grand Dames of the town was taking an enema; enough said! 😉 😁

Here is an excerpt from La Señorita Cora (Nurse Cora) by the Argentine author Julio Cortázar, about a little boy in a hospital who gets an enema from a nurse. Cortázar, one or Latin America's greatest literary figures, was famous for his amazing short stories, written in a sort of "stream of consciousness" style.

I regret that I do not have a translation. I hope somebody else in this forum reads Spanish.

Cuando vio lo que traía se puso tan colorado que me volvió a dar lástima y un poco de risa, era demasiado idiota realmente. “A ver, m'hijito, bájese el pantalón y dese vuelta para el otro lado”, y el pobre a punto de patalear como haría con la mamá cuando tenía cinco años, me imagino, a decir que no y a llorar y a meterse debajo de las cobijas y a chillar, pero el pobre no podía hacer nada de eso ahora, solamente se había quedado mirando el irrigador y después a mí que esperaba, y de golpe se dio vuelta y empezó a mover las manos debajo de las frazadas pero no atinaba a nada mientras yo colgaba el irrigador en la cabecera, tuve que bajarle las frazadas y ordenarle que levantara un poco el trasero para correrle mejor el pantalón y deslizarle una toalla. “A ver, subí un poco las piernas, así está bien, echate más de boca, te digo que te eches más de boca, así.” Tan callado que era casi como si gritara, por una parte me hacía gracia estarle viendo el culito a mi joven admirador, pero de nuevo me daba un poco de lástima por él, era realmente como si lo estuviera castigando por lo que me había dicho. “Avisá si esta muy caliente”, le previne, pero no contestó nada, debía estar mordiéndose un puño y yo no quería verle la cara y por eso me senté al borde de la cama y esperé a que dijera algo, pero aunque era mucho líquido lo aguantó sin una palabra hasta el final, y cuando terminó le dije, y eso sí se lo dije para cobrarme lo de antes: “Así me gusta, todo un hombrecito”, y lo tapé mientras le recomendaba que aguantase lo más posible antes de ir al baño.

At about age 15 or so, I was spending a few days with my sister, 15 years older than me. In her bookcase was a paperback called, "Behind Red Curtains." It was an autobiography of a girl, who began as a "house girl, and eventual Madame of a brothel, in Hawaii during WWII. Trust me, I was very naive about the topics she talked about.She described her douching practices, and yes, her need for enemas.

"My days are hectic, and my diet suffers. My first "Madame" suggested an enema, after my long night shifts. I found these enemas so helpful, and truly helped me to sleep much better. Madame actually had certain girls who gave them. I found certain men who enjoyed giving them as well." Walt

I'm reading "Valley of the Dolls" by Jaqueline Susann, and there's a reference to an actress "taking the Swedish hose". The book was published in 1966, and I'm wondering if that's old slang for some type of enema. They are taking spa treatments, so they're not referring to clothing items. Now if she'd written, "french tube" I would have known for sure. But I've never heard of the swedish hose! Anyone?

In the book "Torch Song", by Anne Roiphea young Jewish girl getting an

enema in detail from her stern German nanny in the early '40s. Symbolic?

There was a book written about Dr. Kellog from Michigan reguarding his sanitorium where enemas were commonly used to cure everything. I beleive there was a movie aboout this also.

Jeffl is referring to T C Boyle's book (and the movie from the book), "The Road to Wellville," a fictionalized chronicle of the cereal king Kellogg in which enemas were given, I think, 4 times daily to patients who flocked to his sanitarium. A true story. Kellogg, by the way was married and died a virgin (he claimed), but had his daily enema! Hmmmm. Is that a trade-off, or something else?? I like both!

The last thing I ever saw on enemas was back in the 90's and it was "You'll Never Make Love In This Town Again" and it was by some Hollywood groupies or Madams or something, can't remember. But they were talking about getting them from one of the guys that eventually became Vanna White's husband (now ex-husband). She implied that he carried the fetish on to her but never said for sure that she went along with it.

On one of TV's hospital show aa old guy is on a gurney out in the lobby groaning. A doctor walks past and he keeps saying I'm getting an enema, I'm getting an enema.

(Nineteenth Century Enema Poem)

“The Flood of Love” (1867 version)

Afar down Inkling Way doth exist

A most generous specialist

Amidst swallows and daffodils, as you please

Spread fine white wine, and selection of cheese.

Withdrawing the veil of laurel there is found

Trembling flesh ‘ranged in an alluring mound.

Young ladies’ roly-poly voluptuous skin

This worldly gentleman doth examine.

The health of ladies he mends when able

By bringing them to an end agreeable.

Inserted in where they ordinar’ly they’d seat

Is an upclomb, blossomy treat

To loose their victuals from digestive tubes

His cleansing elixir doth nicely lube.

Allured hither and thither those love-buds parted,

As lips bestow kisses ‘pon sweet love started.

The music it makes is of silent sighs,

Leaving blossomy rains ‘gainst sweet young thighs.

From out betwixt that so honeyed cleft

Comes a fierce foamy gush of impressive heft.

Then ‘txixt the buds soft silk passes

As he wipes the dew from the satisfied lasses.

– by Joel S. Muttoe (1828-1909)

Hoseman: Where did you find that poem? I didn't know there were any Klismo's in the 1800's.

It apparently was found by a scholar as part of research for his dissertation. If you Google "joel s. muttooe enema" you will find it. The pending title of his paper -- "Foamy Lube: The Enema in Art, 1837-1900" -- has a fascination all its own. Says he is preparing it for possible publication. Bring it on!

Also: if you google "Victorian enema" you will find several interesting web sites. I got it through guesswork.

Shakespaeres The Raven poem references enemas.

Didn't Shakespeare write something about a woman's fingers being like clyster tubes?

Enema As an Erotic Art and Its History by David Barton-Jay (1984,)

This is perhaps not so much the enema IN literature, as a whole book on the subject of enemas itself. It starts with a history of enemas, and contains a large number of historical drawings and illustrations containing enemas and clysters and other types of instruments used to introduce water or what not into the colon.

It also contains a number of memoirs or short reminiscences on the subject.

As a book, it is graphically quite attractive and nicely printed. Since it was originally published in 1984, it is now somewhat expensive to buy.

Ah, yes. I have that book. It is quite interesting. I've lent my copy to a friend for him to enjoy for a while so I can't go on to describe it much further than you. It must be said that the drawings and photographs are kind of grainy and in black and white. If I am not mistaken, which I might be, the author is a gay man so some of the text and photographs are homoerotic but don't let homophobia keep you from buying this book if you can find it. There is a wealth of information and intriguing stories and reminiscences and several heterosexual images to inspire you.

It is out of print and the people who own the books realize this so if you find it, it might be pricey. I was lucky enough to find it at Amazon from a private seller for $40, which is a steal compared to prices I've seen lately, which are in the hundreds. You might find a used copy at Alibris www.alibris.com which has out of print and rare books and you might be lucky enough to find it at Amazon or on Ebay.

I hope someone creates a similar but updated book sometime in my lifetime. If anyone knows of any books regarding enemas, I'd love to read them.

I remember a book called "Call Me Brick" in which a young girl at camp goes to the camp nurse and gets an enema. Bought this book about 30 years ago,

I don't know who wrote it.

I also found an e-book on enemas called ´Enema Story´by Normane Cobbleson.

I´m not certain if it was ever printed on paper, since I have it on an pdf file, published as an e-book.

It is a work of fiction, and describes in detail the author´s experiences with enemas.

Is "Swedish Hose" a nick for enema? This intrigues me. I Googled it but I didn't come up with anything. -- DD

Ebay does well for books out of print

Was there a movie where actress Sally F. was forced to receive enemas from her mother?