HEALTH FORUM

Ive reached a time in my life when going to the toilet is not
always easy, so I thought about enemas as applied in days gone
by, when a liquid was pumped into a persons bottom.

My question is, how was that liquid made?

I was under the impression that it was soapy water.

So, are you going to tell me to go away, in the nicest possible
way of course!(:-)

Or can one of you tell me exactly what this liquid is/was?

--
Alan

Reply to alan (dot) holmes27 (at) virgin (dot) net

There used to be a soap solution - but long disused, due to the dangers it
entailed in poorly trained hands.

If you need an enema, best see a doctor ...


--
Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

Good Luck.
Alan Holmes wrote in message
news:AS Se.2954$Y06.2361@newsfe2-win.ntli.net...

Andrew Heenan wrote in message
news:dfi8d4$itl$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...

The problem is they now use a funny little tiny injection type device which
is not long enough to get right into the bowel so the stuff runs out before
it has a chance to do its job, whereas the older stuff used to work
properly.

--
Alan

Reply to alan (dot) holmes27 (at) virgin (dot) net

Alan Holmes wrote:



An enema might be indicated to empty the rectum/lower bowel initially, in
cases of severe constipation and faecal impaction, but in my view this is
not really appropriate as an ongoing treatment in the circumstances you
describe. I think you should ask your GP or practice nurse for advice about
long-term relief of your constipation. Alternatively, assuming that you are
suffering from the normal proneness to constipation due to ageing (a
combination of sluggish peristalsis and inadequate roughage), and this isnt
a change in bowel habit as a result of some sinister underlying illness such
as bowel cancer, you can find lots of helpful advice on the internet Try
http://www.constipationadvice.co.uk/ and
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/constipation.htm.






Many years ago we mixed green enema soap with warm water and between 1 and 2
pints of this fluid was administered via a rectal catheter which was
connected to a large funnel. It was known as an enema saponis and was
usually tried AFTER an oral laxative and rectal suppositories had been tried
but failed. The idea was that the patient would lie down and retain the
enema for up to an hour. However, in my experience many patients could only
manage a few minutes before they had the very urgent desire to expel the
enema (often in the bed), especially if frail and elderly, often with little
effect on the retained faeces. Because of the difficulty retaining the
volume of soapy water used, and the poor results obtained, modern micro
enemas were introduced.



This enema soap was the consistency of a thick jelly and it appears to be
still available from http://www.mediquip.co.uk/shop/full.php?q=1087554548.
So in theory you could buy this soap plus a rectal catheter and funnel, and
try to administer this yourself (difficult) or get someone to pour a pint or
two into you. Make sure that the toilet is accessible at all times
otherwise, should your journey be impeded in any way, the effect on your
carpets and wall paper could be disastrous. But in relation to Ive reached
a time in my life when going to the toilet is not always easy, so I thought
about enemas as applied in days gone by, when a liquid was pumped into a
persons bottom I dont think that this is an appropriate way of managing
your problem.

Devils Advocate wrote in message
news:431d2553@212.67.96.135...

Stuff deleted:-


When I was given one of these about 65 years ago it was pumped in, using a
douch(SP), not poured in via a funnel!

Was in hospital fairly recently when these were administered, and in my case
proved to be useless, the contents were not put in far enough and flowed
out all over the floor and thus offered no help!

But, your last paragraph, now deleted, has almost convinced me that the old
fashioned enemas are perhaps not for me now.

Thanks for all your help.

Ill unsubscribe from this newsgroup in a couple of days, the wait is in
case there are any more responses.

--
Alan

Reply to alan (dot) holmes27 (at) virgin (dot) net

Alan Holmes wrote ...

Sadly, if your bowel cannot cope with a modern microenema, it certainly
wont manage a soapnwater. retention is controlled by the anus, so a short
tube really should be as good as a long rubber one! The only alternative
enema option I can think of is an overnight arachis oil (softening) enema,
followed by an evacuant enama a.m.

I suspect your memory has held the result of the snw, but smoothed over
the discomfort.

And likely you were spared info on the risk of collapse (shock), massive
infection due to perforated bowel - small, but real risk, and sheer agony of
colicky pain for hours.

Watch a horse after a coffee enema to get half an idea of the effect (unless
they are now illegal ...).

Theres no doubt that constipation is only *managed* from the top; any need
for even suppositories, on a regular basis, suggests a serious bowel
problem, or a seriously undereducated healthcare team!

From The Top options are many and vaied - and should exclude parafin in
any form.

Good Luck,

Andrew
--
Andrew Heenan
http://www.realnurse.net/

Thanks for the posts, a great help.

Alan