INTERNAL HYGIENE

Hutt News, Volume 13, Issue 5, 5 July 1939, Page 1

INTERNAL HYGIENE

(By H. K. and D. W. Adamson),

If the number of requests for information on a subject is any indication of its general interest, then we may safely conclude that the question of constipation ranks an easy first. It would be strange if it were otherwise, for constipation is indeed public health enemy number I—make no mistake about that. It is responsible for more ill-health and chronic suffering than all the armies of germs combined, and on this account has been very aptly described as "The mother of disease." Of course there are many who would be only too ready to pooh pooh such a statement, but the same people would perhaps be only too ready to acknowledge the frightful menace to the public health that a prolonged stoppage of a city's sewerage system would involve. Germs- are the product of filth or of waste, and it matters little whether the retention of waste occurs on a wholesale basis, as in the case of a city, or whether its accumulation is confined to one single unit of that community. The result is identical —it breeds germs and dislocates normal functioning. It is really difficult to understand the apathy of many people towards constipation. Some, of course, are lulled into a false sense of security by forcing bowel activity with purgatives. Others again, imagine that irregular movements are of little consequence, unless accompanied with serious discomfort, or they are doubled up with pain. As a matter of fact, there should be little need to remind one that the retention of waste matter in the colon or bowel produces a condition that is comparable to a cesspool. The products of putrefication are readily absorbed into the blood and carried through every delicate gland and tissue through which the blood circulates, However, if you have suffered from this condition in the past, there is no earthly reason why you should continue doing so. Constipation can be definitely cured, and in many cases by simple home treatment which we recommend in these notes.

Generally speaking, there are three types of constipation 'which concern most people. Firstly, and by far the most prevalent, is the type which is due to muscular weakness of the walls of the intestines. Food materials are propelled along the intestinal tube by means of a series of wave-like movements of the muscular walls of the tract, and naturally, when these are weak and flabby, they simply cannot exert sufficient force to propel the contents along in a satisfactory manner. The second type, which is not nearly so common, is caused by a spastic contraction of the intestinal tube or sections of it, whilst the third type, which is mostly confined to certain forms of chronic constipation, is due to various kinds of obstruction of the tube,- such as adhesions, tumors, and particularly "kinks" which develop in the course of the folds of the tube and which are closely related to defective nutrition in the growing period. The last named are the result of long standing cases of the first and more common type. Strictly speaking, each case of constipation should be treated on its own individual merits, but as prob-'

(Health Consultants.)

ably 50 per cent., or more of. all cases are simply due to the sluggish action of the muscles of the intestinal tube. This percentage at least can usually be successfully and. permanently cured with a little patience and persistence on the part s bf the sufferer. In any case, if specialised treatment is ultimately found to be necessary, he can rest assured that the carrying out of the suggestions for/ home treatment will, unlike the various. drugs so of t,eiy resorted to, hate the virtue of producing no further damage.

; Exercise or manipulation to strengthen up muscles of the abdominal. region is essential. All trunk-bending exercises are good, but particularly such exercises as lying on. the floor and raising the legs, or raising the body into a sitting position. Another movement of special virtue is called the squat or deep knee bend. From an erect position sink to the floor by bending at the knees till the buttocks rest on the heels, then rise to an erect position again. (This exercise is not indicated in the case of prolapsus). The various movements should be performed with as much vigour as possible, and must be continued till a slight but definite sense of fatigue has been reached. Walking is also higTily beneficial, but it must not be merely a stroll. Walk vigorously and gradually increase the distance daily according to the time at your disposal.

In addition to the foregoing, a daily Sitz bath, as described in last week's notes, and taken just before retiring, will be found of special advantage.

The diet is equally important and it should include liberal amounts of both fruit and vegetables—uncooked. Wholemeal breads must replace, white bread, and if flesh foods or meats are used, they must be reduced to once daily. All fruits and vegetables are good, but the following in particular: Dessert prunes, figs, raisins, dates, peaches and pears (fresh and dried). Cooked sweets or sweet desserts .at dinner should be strictly tabooed and replaced by some raw vegetable or vegetable salad or some uncooked fruit or both.

r Water drinking must be cultivat- ' ed. The ideal time to drink water !is between meals, about half an | hour before a meal and not less 1 than an hour or an hour and a half ' following a meal. Make a practice lof drinking a pint of fairly warm ■ water half an hour before breakfast ' every morning. Finally, stop drugging. Whatever value a purgative may possess as a purely temporary expedient, you must realise that it cannot possibly free you of' the trouble. In fact, it not only fails to give permanent relief, but actually renders the condition far more difficult to ultimately eradicate. If temporary relief is required, use an enema. In reply to inquirer, re piles, we suggest that the foregoing be carried out. Read up the notes in last week's "Hutt News" on the Sitz bath (cold only). Almost all cases of piles, as well as other symptoms,- may be greatly helped by these simple methods, but the constipation must be pradicated first. In extreme, cases of piles, cauterization, or surgical interference is necessary.