the bowels and leave them dry and parched, and
thus apt to crack and break in two. I would remind the objector that,
since about 75 per cent. of the normal feces is water, it seems strange
that so great a quantity of water in contact with the mucous surface of
the bowels should not also cause dryness.

The integument of the body and that of the mucous membrane are similar
in structure, yet whoever had a fear of producing dryness of the skin
by much application of water? The mucous membrane is simply the skin
turned inward; and since it is much more vascular it is less apt to
become dry--if, indeed, its dryness were at all possible. The objector
should also remember that the body is composed of over 80 per cent. of
water--an organism not to be made dry or parched by the application of
water to the skin or to the mucous membrane two or three times a day.

The mucous membrane of the lower bowel is not unlike that of the mouth,
throat, or stomach. Do you realize how often the upper end of the
intestinal canal is washed or bathed daily with liquids, soft and hard
drinks, hot and cold, especially by those who have formed the drink
habit instead of the enema habit?

They have no fear of drying the mucous membrane thereby; but if you can
instil this fear they will increase the quantity with pleasure.

This second objection, being the result of too vivid an imagination and
too little reflection, is a very nonsensical objection indeed.

A _third_ objection is that if you begin the use of the enema you will
have to continue its use; you can't stop, and, lo and behold! the enema
habit is formed--a new habit in addition to the many habits civilized
man is already carrying; the constipated habit, the physic habit, the
sand, bran, sawdust-food habit, the muscular peristaltic habit,
etc.--and with all these habits the poor victim of proctitis and
intestinal foulness wonders that he is alive.

Usually the first symptom of proctitis is constipation, and for relief
the enema habit should be formed and continued while the constipation
remains. When the proper means are found to remove the intestinal
inflammation--proctitis and colitis--then the constipation will
disappear, and with its disappearance the enema habit can be
discontinued. But let it be well noted that the enema is itself an aid
in curing the cause, an aid superior to any other at our command. A
cleanly habit ought not to be an objectionable one, especially in cases
in