Origins of enema

Since I began administring enemas to my female friends, I got curious about the history of enemas. Has anyone in this web site know when and where first enema sighting was? And what type of devices were used?

[quote author=ozzyne link=topic=963.msg6218#msg6218 date=1199595415]

Since I began administring enemas to my female friends, I got curious about the history of enemas. Has anyone in this web site know when and where first enema sighting was? And what type of devices were used?

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It goes back since birth of humanity, the old egyptions did it, there is proof.

Even a bird known as IBIS (also a egyption good) has the habit to fill his beak with water and squirds it in his rectum.

It was always a simple treatment for all kind of problems. For Instance in the tropical medicine, to lower bodytemperature by fewer, Till the modern Pharmacy discovered the amount of money to be made with laxatives. There was no household without an Irrigator it was as common as a first-aid kit, It was THE FIRST AID KIT.

In the world history of the enemas you/he/she is associated to the birds waders "ibis, crane, storks, flamingos and others" that at the end of the migration they are injected with the long beak the water in the anal orifice to provoke the intestinal evacuation....

another very interesting datum is the birth of the writing, which is attributed waders to the observation of the imprints of the birds on the slimy shores of the courses d' water.....

in fact the Egyptian god Toth that is represented as a man with the head of "ibis" it is the god of the "wisdom" because you/he/she has invented the writing, that of the "medicine" because you/he/she has invented the first enema....

Here are some extracts from various sources:-

Many centuries ago the chiefs and priests of the tribes of India had noticed that various waterbirds used their long beaks to inject the river water into their bowels over and over again. After arriving at the river in an exhausted condition, the birds would recover miraculously in this way from long journeys. (Pliny has written that this habit of the birds suggested the use of enemas to ancient Egyptian doctors, and certain Chinese historians have mentioned the same thing in their own country.)

The chiefs and priests managed to construct a primitive instrument resembling a syringe from reeds, and would inject warm water into the bowels of the old men suffering from constipation. They speak of the use of gallons of water [to fill the colon over and over again]; and by the time the treatment was concluded the colon of the old tribesmen must have been thoroughly cleaned out. The results were wonderful - The old men took on a new lease of life, took unto themselves young wives, and began again to enter the active work of the tribe. The men of other tribes heard of the occurence and began coming in, bourne on the shoulders of the young men - they are said to have walked home unaided. From Hatha Yoga - Yogi Ramacharaka

The Greek Travelers were struck by the Egyptians’ cleanliness. In Hellenistic times - and this may well have been a very old custom - the Egyptians tried to be clean not only externally but also internally, by evacuating the intestinal tract with emetics and enemas, for three consecutive days every month as reported by Herodotus, or at intervals of three or four days as reported by Diodorus. The Egyptians explained the custom rationally, saying that the people believed that diseases were engendered by the waste products of the food. A History of Medicine - Henry E.Sigerist - 1987

Enemas date back many thousands of years, to earliest recorded times. Cave paintings and artefacts show that they were used throughout the world and that they followed a common format, generally consisting of hollowed-out gourds [calabashes] or animal bladders attached to pieces of shaped bone or bamboo. There was little change in design or usage until the Middle Ages, when Europeans introduced several variations, the most common of which was a large brass syringe.

From Forum Vol 26 No.3 1993.

Some writings indicate that the Chinese were rich in enema history, especially when it came to giving them to women, apparently men were never constipated.

There are ancient Egyptian writings that indicate that a ritual morning and before bed enema was necessary for the elite as well as before approaching the statue of a God. Royal enema instruments were made of pure gold, several were recorded in the treasure of King ‘Tut’ but never displayed.

A proper Roman citizen always had an enema at the public toilet & bath. Slaves were assigned to “assist” the toilet visitors. After proper relief (or perhaps before), a slave would bring a large fired clay vessel that held 8 - 10 liters of water with a phallic looking protrudence on the bottom. This was inserted in the rectum of the male or female, and a large enema given. These broken devices have been found all around every Roman toilet from Italy to Northern Germany.

From An Assistant to a Colon Therapist – 2007.

Colonic lavage was first recorded in Egypt in 1500 BC in the document Ebers Papyrus which outlined Medical treatments of the time. Hippocrates recorded using enemas for fevers in the 4th and 5th centuries BC and Galen recognized and used enemas in the 2nd century AD. The great French surgeon Pare, [who coined the phrase ‘I treated him, God cured him.’] in AD 1600, recognised the difference between colonic irrigation and the enema therapy which was popular at the time. From Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Diverticulosis S. Trickett 1990.

The glory of the invention of the enema, so beneficial to suffering mankind, belongs to an Italian, Gatenaria. He was a Professor at Pavia, where he died in 1496, after having spent several years in perfecting his instrument. In the first years of Louis XIV it became the fashion of the day. Ladies took three or four a day to keep a fresh complexion, and dandies took as many for a white skin. The medical profession at first hailed the invention with delight, but soon found the application infradig and handed it over to pharmacists, barbers and hospital attendants.

From Intestinal Ills - Jamieson MD. 1920.

Between the 16th and 18th centuries the enema was regarded as the fountain of youth. It was most widespread in France, England and Germany. And it was not only the nobility that gave itself over to this remedy. The syringe was also found in many middle class homes. There were blowup enemas and bellows enemas, to name only two of the most widespread kinds. Even the Eskimos made use of a long bag made from intestines that was equipped with an ivory cannula. ....

From The Enema - Armin von Degenhard - Orion 1993

Howard, Retired Medical Technologist, South Africa.

Wow, that was some intensive research. When I try to research on the internet, usually sex sites come up and I never fine anything about enemas in public library( strange huh?). I kind of knew that enemas has been around but it is never mention in any history channel programs or discovery channel in that manner. it used to be part of life and medical treatment or relief, some how it became unwanted child and a big taboo. it is a sad story actually.

Howhammie- Excellent research!! I never thought that enemas were observed in nature. But then again, many typical practices are originally observed in nature.

Being in Latin this year, and not having enough nerve to ask if "enema" was what looked like to me; a 1st declension feminine word (enema, enemae f.- definition), I looked up the etymology at Merrriam-Webster: (Copied from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enema) :

"Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek, from enienai to inject, from en- + hienai to send — more at jet". I was partially correct. It was from Latin, but not a noun, rather a verb. I don't recognise the conjugation though.

Any who, I thought that an enema would originate from people who had too much time on their hands just experimenting with inserting objects and injecting random solutions into different orifices. Nature never fails to amaze me sometimes. Also, most birds are though to be not too smart... Except African Grays.

I have seen some of his comments in various places. But his summary all in one place is quite good. Kudos and a +.

Hi,

I found this citation of the use of the enema in the Mayan civilization:

http://www.maya-archaeology.org/museums/popolvuh/jagceremony.php

I had heard that the shamans had drank their very weak alcohol until they were drunk enough, and then had a servant administer more alcohol in an enema. ( No, I don't recommend this, this is just for historical reference.)

I found this article, and found it interesting. It is from June of 1946.

A Brooklyn specialist, Dr. William Lieberman, is one of the foremost U.S. authorities on the history of the enema. Last week, in the Review of Gastroenterology, he wrote with scholarly authority on his cathartic theme.

Ancient Art. The origin of the enema is veiled in the mist of antiquity. The Hindu Vedas hint of its use in 2000 B.C. In the 5th Century Herodotus noted that "the Egyptians clear themselves on three consecutive days every month." The Egyptians learned the art, said the Roman Naturalist Pliny, from the long-beaked ibis, who "washes the inside of his body by introducing water with his beak into the channel by which ... the residue of our food should leave."

Hippocrates preferred enemas to purges, but the Greeks rejected the strange concoctions of bile, vinegar, etc. used by other peoples in favor of water or simple salt solutions, perhaps with a little oil or honey added. Centuries later, physicians in medieval Spain described the nutrient enema and the first bulb syringes.

French Fashion. The17th Century was the Golden Age of the enema, or clyster as it was then called. The crude instruments of yesteryear—tubes of bone or wood attached to animal bladders or silk bags—were replaced by a formidable piston-&-cylinder device. An apothecary or doctor's assistant, marching through the streets with a clyster tube on his shoulder (see cut), became a common sight, as a mania for enemas swept France.

Fashionable Parisians, convinced that inner lavements purified the complexion and produced good health, took as many as three or four enemas a day. The craze was often burlesqued on the stage, notably by Moliere, and it was a lively topic of elegant discourse in the salons.

Louis XIV had over 2,000 enemas during his reign, sometimes holding court while the ceremony progressed. Aristocratic enemas were delicately tinted and scented. They were also so widely used as a means of poisoning that Louis XIV set up a special detective agency to combat the wave of enema-murders among his nobility.

Scientific Sobriety. About 1800 the carnival spirit dwindled sharply, and the age of scientific sobriety began. An extension of the enema principle came in 1895 with the invention of colonic irrigation by Professor Ismar of Berlin—a controversial treatment which Historian Lieberman dismisses as very rarely necessary and "on the wane at the present time."

Simplicity is the enema keynote in the Atomic Age. Best ingredients: "plain lukewarm water, or perhaps just a trace of bicarbonate of soda or ordinary salt." Warns Dr. Lieberman: "Soap is a very popular ingredient now, unjustly so, because in most cases it is unnecessary and irritating."

Egyptians def,started this wonderful practice then the romans spread it all over europe....and i guess the world

Howard's work, as always is superb. There is a good article in a 1946, I believe, OB GYN journal. Gives a good history of the enema. I use it for reference, only because I like to use indexed medical journals. Howard's work is better, but less recognized in scientific circles.

In that time period enemas were used to treat over 122 different conditions as recommended in American medical books and journals.

I would like to thank the contributors. The historical information is fascinating.

I've read some of the information elsewhere before. Thank you for consolidating so much information here. Must have spent a long time on research. Good job!

Just some more information. While the practice itself seems to be many thousands of years old, the word "enema" is much newer.

From the Online Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary:

[a. Gr. {elenisacu}{nu}{epsilon}{mu}{alpha}, f. {elenis}{nu}{iota}{geacu}{nu}{alpha}{iota}, f. {elenis}{nu} in + {easper}- stem of {iasper}{geacu}{nu}{alpha}{iota} to send.

The normal pronunciation is ({sm}{ope}n{shti}m{schwa}), but the incorrect form has been in very general use.]

1. A liquid or gaseous substance (either medicinal or alimentary) introduced mechanically into the rectum; a clyster, an injection. Also attrib., as in enema-apparatus, -instrument, -pump, -syringe.

1681 tr. Willis' Rem. Med. Wks. Voc., Enema, a clister. 1751 CHAMBERS Cycl., Enema in medicine denotes a clyster. 1794-6 E. DARWIN Zoon. (1801) I. 32 A dram of it [laudanum] was used as an enema. 1800 Med. Jrnl. III. 230, I then exhibited a laxative and antispasmodic Enema. 1847 E. J. SEYMOUR Severe Dis. I. 9, I recommended him..the use of enemata. 1872 COHEN Dis. Throat 87 We can resort to nutritive enemas. 1879 T. BRYANT Pract. Surg. II. 3 The..india-rubber enema apparatus..may be employed. 1886 C. H. FAGGE Princ. & Pract. Med. II. 208 Enemata may be continued somewhat longer still.

2. Short for ‘enema-apparatus’.

Howard's comments are always well researched and informative. Thanks. I think the enema is so basic and logical, that if we look we should be able to find the artifacts of enema equipment in caves. I think that has been done, so cavemen---and/or women gave enemas a long time before the Egyptians or Chinese. However, these findings could likely be debated. The pictures in the tombs in Egypt are more difficult to argue with. There were some paintings in Neanderthal caves in France. If my memory serves me correctly there was a question about one or two of them being about enemas.

Jist of it, enemas have been here longer than written language.

In earlier days, as early as 1500 B.C, an Egyptian, Ebers Papyrus has mentioned it. Some time around this period an Egyptian king also had a doctor, who was responsible for all enema related medical treatments. Even Greeks have written about the Egyptians cleanliness with use of enemas.

Facts have shown that in ancient times, enema was very much in the routine for some serious problems too. The Egyptians believed that all diseases were caused by superfluities of the food, which now most people believe to be true.

Enemas were known in the ancient African region, Greece, Babylonia, India, and China. It is also known that American Indians developed it by using a syringe made of an animal bladder and a hollow leg bone. Pre-Columbian South Americans also used latex in the first rubber enema bags and tubes. Enemas can also be seen in some famous literature by some great authors of all time like Aristophanes to Shakespeare, Gulliver Travels to Peyton Place. In fact, there is hardly a region where enema was not used.

In pre-revolutionary France adapted enemas were used on a daily basis after dinner and were also considered good for skin complexion. This practice was considered as a good remedy for many diseases. Even Louis XIV had used enema about 2000 times in his whole lifetime and stayed healthy for his entire life.

However nowadays things are changing and people have forgotten the importance of this complementary treatment. Nevertheless, the fact is that this practice will become more popular in the days to come as the mental barriers fall in the face of the huge benefits.

Very good research.It is interesting how the use progressed through history.

I have read Howard's research not only on here, but on several other

groups. The man has spent a LOT of time getting all of this organ-

ized and put together for everyone's benefit. We should all be

very appreciative of his work. I always look forward to any of his

postings; because he has the facts to back up what he says.

Dan

[quote author=ilffer link=topic=963.msg245906#msg245906 date=1253884077]

I have read Howard's research not only on here, but on several other

groups. The man has spent a LOT of time getting all of this organ-

ized and put together for everyone's benefit. We should all be

very appreciative of his work. I always look forward to any of his

postings; because he has the facts to back up what he says .

Dan

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NOT AT ALL!

He has mostly anedotal bits of information with little to no validity and few if any real refereed journal references for his multi-gallon enemas.

His sole agenda is to entice people to take enemas of dangerously large volumes.

Be careful, people.

The enema is NOT the greatest invention ever. It is, however one of very few medicinal ideas of the dark ages, that actually did help people.

The Guttenberg printing press is the greatest invention ever done. Why? It took the power of the elites, both state, and church, making medicinal ideas availabe to others, rather than just the educated wealthy classes. Walt

Ineresting how times have changed. Today most doctors pooh pooh the value of enemas and say they shouldn't be done routinely.

ES

Enemas increase contraction when you are in labor, more than than they can initiate the labor. They are used in many countries for this purposes.

I agree with switchablesuesi large amounts are dangerouseand taken with extreme care. your colon will only stretch so much then somethings gonna give.if you think you need lots of waterhey thats great 2quarts at a time

Good job Hammie. J'amor l'histoire.

I scrolled back to the original message, and there was more extensive information on the history of the enema (including resources) than I've ever seen in a concise form. I give him a + also. Good job Howard! 😃

I suppose that my own interst in the subject draws me to forums such as this. It's great to see the varied perspectives and to share experiences. There is a great deal of historical and medical information available on the internet. Google Books is a great resource and some wonderful illustrations exist also. Oh what great memories of days past.

I don't think 'howhamilton' presented any significant facts on the origins of the enema and he, and others on this thread, repeat a very common mis-observation as well. The ancient Egyptians thought the ibis was injecting water into its cloaca, but in fact was using the water to clean/preen it's feathers, etc. We're all glad of their mistake, but mistake it was. That disparate ancient cultures discovered the enema and recorded its use on walls and vessels, is one of those wonderful serendipitous events that occasionally occured to enrich their societies and, ultimately, ours.

It is believed that part of the mummification process for the pharoah involved enemas of some form while they were alive. But no one knows what was in the solution.

Anybody can tell something to the enema-history in germany,there were bathes in Germany for enemas and water

This is an interesting string of various historical references to the use of enemas in many cultures around the world. It seems that up until the middle of last century an enema kit of some kind was a household product in most homes. During the last 50 years or so this seems to have changed dramatically - what happened?

My theory is that a combination of modesty (it is no longer proper to talk about such topics) and the growth of modern farmaceutical industry and its influence on the medical profession is to blame.

In modern drugstores you will find a large variety of laxatives to be taken orally, as suppositories or mini-enemas, all contianing some sort of medication, most of which probably are more harmful than the oldfashioned enema. At the same time it is almost impossible to purchase an enema kit of any sort.

This change has taken place in the same period that fast-food eating habits have caused an increasing problem of digestion and obesity, further boosting sales of laxatives. Maybe it is time to re-introduce the low cost enema medicine?

As most members in this forum would probably agree, let's stick to the age-old enema regime.