Some History - Enemas

Sketch of enema history by a Scottish MD, from 2005.

http://www.rcpe.ac.uk/journal/issue/journal_35_4/doyle.pdf

He notes towards the end of the article that "Particularly in North America, enemas became popular with couples enjoying

their spouses administering them." Etc. Sounds like he knows his stuff.

Prior to around 1950, penicillin was not available to the general public, and it was up to the women-folk to keep their husbands and children alive when they came down with an illness. Pneumonia killed by the thousands. And medical knowledge was limited in the earlier years. So when the Sears-Roebuck catalogs came out with offers of enema equipment and other patent "cures" mothers stocked up.

When Dad caught a cold, his hairy ass was just as likely as any of the kids to be lying in bed getting a daily soapsuds enema, a mustard plaster, or a croup tent. Mouth breathers automatically got rectal temperatures regardless of age. (I was a hospital orderly in 1965 and that was still the case).

And then, of course, crankiness in kids was blamed on constipation, so the mom, tired of hearing her cranky kid, pulled out the enema bag, rather than spanking them...

Anyone else remember back there?

Yes, the enema seemed to go along with illness, with one given after two days with no BM when sick. And yes, in our home, crankiness called for at least the suggestion that a good cleaning out would solve the problem.

In our house you could get an enema for being sick or not having had a BM in three days. One was never given as punishment for any reason, but if we were cranky the question would frequently be asked when was the last time we made a BM. If the answer came back 3 or more days, the solution to the problem became obvious and mom would soon have the enema bag out.

Yes, the enema was the great attitude adjuster LOL

Crankiness as a signal that an enema was needed does seem to have been a very popular view in the Golden Age, and a version of that survives. Just recently I saw a print ad for a laxative (don't recall name) that listed "irritability" high among the effects of constipation. As with Emom,, enemas were not used as punishment.

As I have no doubt about autointoxication and its effects on the brain, I can thoroughly endorse this

I agree that the autointoxication exists and its effects on the brain too, but the toxins and heavy metals are not deposed in the bowels but in the liver, the spleen, the spine and the brain.

Autointoxication? Are you for real? This was disproven a hundred years ago. And the notion that castor oil or enemas can remove heavy metals is totally crazy. Chelating agents such as BAL are required. Not things to play with at home.

You're confusing two theories. This is, in plain language, "mutant shit germs" formed and absorbed increasingly the longer the shit stays in the body. I haven't got the books to hand but Doctors Denis Burkitt and John McKenna explain it in detail in their books, with Burkitt arguing that there's a link between constipation, autointoxication [he doesn't use the word itself] and colorectal cancer

My sister and I got enemas on a regular basis to "keep thing clean down there", and any time we were cranky or went two days w/o a BM. Any sign of illness, with or without a fever, brought on a dose of soapy water. Any wonder we both became klismos? As for autointoxication, I am a firm believer in it, just like the Great Pumpkin, Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny! Yes, Virginia, I AM a sarcastic SOB!

In the 30's and into the 60's, medical professionals believed in autointoxication and used that as an excuse for enemas. I read an old medical book written in the late 40's about the treatment of hospitalized pneumonia patients. One instruction was an SSE every 3 days to clear cellular debris from the large bowel. The feeling was even if there was no such thing as autointoxication, an enema couldn't hurt.

After some medical professionals proved through controlled studies that autointoxication was a myth, the old time treatments were hard to stamp out among civilians.

I don't know where to put this "fateful story", butt here goes. My G.I. is retiring at the end of September. I've been with her for the 20 years. My colonoscopy with her is scheduled 0920 on the 13th of September. I was told that 'they' could barely squeeze me in, and to not miss the date. I went to my calendar to put in the date and Lo! --wtf, how can this be? I'm scheduled to play with my jazz trio, from 1:00-3:00 and then again from 4:00-6:00, on that date at a local Farmer's Market. I signed the contract back in early July.

Per knowledge and agreement with my G.I. I do two days clear liquid, enemas and one citrate the night before to clean out.

Hopefully I'll be outta there by 11:00....giving me time to eat a large breakfast. (All the music gear, vibes, etc. will have been loaded the night before.)

I'm seriously considering asking the G.I. to do the procedure with just a happy pill. Last year we did a sig and B.E. without going out. The sig didn't hurt so why not do the colonoscopy awake. Time is critical here. I con't get out of either one.

So I'm requesting ideas, comments and/or sympathy. --HELP! Mashie, are you there?

the boxcar

I have done all but my first one with no drugs. When it is over you get dressed and leave. I believe the drugs are for the convince of the Phycian.

Course

Thanks 'Course'....that's my plan so far. I'd rather be having hash-browns & eggs than laying about in bed trying to wake up.

the boxcar

My last two colonoscopies were with reduced drugs per my request. They were ready to increase it to the normal amount if they felt it necessary, but it wasn't. I made these requests just before the procedure, and they were happy to cooperate.

I was pretty much awake through the whole process and it was painless. I remembered the whole thing immediately afterwards. But as time went on, I only remembered a few highlights because of the drugs. During the last colonoscopy the Doc gave me guided tour while I watched on the video screen. I was amazed when I saw this pulsing object and he told me it was my heart. Incredible!

He said he preferred that the patient be awake through the process. But for the most part, his patients preferred to be out.

My designated driver (brother) then took me to our breakfast spot where I had a sausage omelet with hash browns. Not a problem.

Good luck!

Thanks JO. That's my plan. (I did place a call to see if the appt could be changed, but doubtful if I want it with my G.I. and not a stranger.)

the boxcar

Thanks folk, I really appreciated your advice. I'm happy to report that I was able to change the date for the colonoscopy and still with my soon-to-retire G.I. doctor.

the boxcar

I haven't got the books to hand but Doctors Denis Burkitt and John McKenna explain it in detail in their books, with Burkitt arguing that there's a link between constipation, autointoxication [he doesn't use the word itself] and colorectal cancer

squidgicunt

you are right - look at this:

http://www.modernmanna.org/modern-manna-media/health-articles/autointoxication-a-major-cause-of-disease/

http://www.lightparty.com/Health/HealingRegeneration/html/Auto-Intoxication.html

http://www.holistichealthtools.com/auto.html