The writer is of the opinion that constipation is the fundamental disease that afflicts mankind; that, at all events, there are more cases of proctitis than of any other disease; that very few “civilized” persons are free from it; that so prevalent a disease must have a common origin, which he traces right back to babyhood, to the wearing of soiled diapers, a practice that cannot but result in inflammation of the buttocks and mucous membrane of the anus and rectum; and that this inflammation continues and finally becomes deepened and established, producing in after years chronic constipation and its train of evils. Of course, there are other causes that bring on proctitis among children and adults; but careful examination shows that the severity of the malady with its train indicates long duration in the tissues comprising the wall of the anal and rectal canals and the adjoining tissues of the bowels. Proctitis, with its extension, colitis, is by no means a slight disease, as it is supposed to be by a few members of the medical fraternity who are beginning to apprehend its existence; on the contrary, it is so serious that its gravity cannot be impressed too forcibly upon both laymen and physicians. During the many years of special attention the writer has given to diseases of the anus, rectum, colon, etc., he has not ceased to wonder how it was possible that the victim of deep-seated proctitis could have so dreadful a disease and not be greatly alarmed at its ravages and dangers. The anatomy, physiology, and hygiene of the parts involved in this inflammation continue in some manner to permit the passage of excrement along the diseased canal; and the victim continues to swallow drugs and tinker with these--his irreplaceable “inards.”[1] [1] For numerous illustrations of the various morbid conditions of the anus and rectum, see the author’s 64-page booklet, entitled _How to Become Strong_. It is not my purpose at present to go into a detailed description of the organs involved in this inflammatory process, but to make plain why the enema is superior to all other means of securing cleanliness. When we know why we do a thing, the task is not so difficult and annoying as when we go it blind or simply obey the behest of a physician. Ignorance has no business bothering with anything; experience, however, is usually a painful if not a fatal instructor. The human race at large is ignorant concerning the normal and abnormal processes of its internal organs. “Out of sight, out of mind” seems to be the maxim of almost every one as to our vital organs and the conditions for their hygienic functioning. The purpose of the writer will be achieved if he succeed in sounding a note of warning that will be heard and heeded by those whose influence will extend the echoes till the world listens and learns the claims of the inner physiological economy.