HEALTH NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 58

HEALTH NOTES.

CONSTIPATION. The causes to which chronic constipation may be attributed are nearly always connected with diet or habit of life. Food which is too easily digested and which leaves but little waste matter over will induce constipation by failing to supply sufficient stimulus to tlie nerves controlling the discharge" of this waste, which therefore become weakened through disease. Oh -the other hand, foods of too highly stimulating a nature will increase the wear and tear of the nerve tissues; they become exhausted, and finally respond "to nothing but strong purgatives. Another cause of constipation is too dry a diet. The flow' of waste matter into the proper channels is largely assisted by its fluidity, and unless an adequate quantity of fluid is taken, the flow is retarded and the passages become blocked. Diet of too uniform a nature is often a contributory cause, and it is sometimes found that some change introduced into the food, such as the substitution of brown bread for white, is attended' with very good results. In .children, and often in older people, constipation is frequently induced merely by neglect to respond to the natural desire of the bowels to act. The habit of irregularity grows, with the resulting unpleasant symptoms which betray the presence of- impurities in the blood. The accumulation of waste matter in the intestines ought to be expelled as speedily as possible. When it is permitted to remain for two or three or even more days, the waste products begin to get absorbed into the blood, and headaches,. loss of appetite, offensive taste in the mouth, flatulence, depression, irritability, and flushing of the face result. Sedentary habits, want of outdoor exercise, or an anaemic or an enfeebled condition are often responsible for constipation, and steps should be taken to increase the general health and vigour. Treatment.— The treatment of the ailment consists largely in correcting the diet, and adopting a careful and regular habit of life. Regular daily exercise in the open air should betaken by those whoso occupation compels close work in the house or office. A great deal _ may bo done by persevere, anco in obtaining a regular daily action oT the bowels. After a, time it will be found that the bowels will regulate, themselves, and that the daily action will become quite mechanical, and purgatives only occasionally required. If there is reason to believe that the system requires a larger amount of fluid than it is receiving, a glass of wafer taken slowly three times a day between meals will be helpful. And those foods which contain a large amount of moisture should form part of the diet—vegetables, salads, boiled onions, ripe fruits, baked apples, pears, bananas grapes, and fruits. Avoid food of a. too digestible nature, although food which is known to be actually indigestible and irritating should not be taken. Eggs, milk, and' farinaceous foods must be taken only in small quantities. There is little or no waste matter in these foods, and they do not possess the stimulus that is necessary. Coffee, brown bread, gingerbread, honey, treacle, marmalade, butter, and oil are good—the latter being useful as a lubricant or softener of obstinate accumulations. Such remedies as cascara or seidlitz powders may be taken occasionally at discretion. But, 'in attempting to effect a real cure of tho condition 110 reliance whatever should be placed on drugs. It should be the aim of the patient finally to dispenfeo with them altogether.

A USEFUL BRONCHITIS MIXTURE. A useful stimulating mixture _ in many cases of chronic bronchitis, especially when occurring in old people, is the following:— Amnion, chlor., three drachms; spirit ether co., three drachms; ex. glycerrhiz,_ .three drachms; inf. sencgac, to Boz. Of thi3 mixture one tablespoonful may be taken two or three times a day in an equal amount of water.