The kidneys are located several inches above the region called the “small of the back”; therefore, a difficulty in this region does not necessarily indicate disease of the kidneys. Those who suffer from the symptoms described--lame, weak, hot, dead spots, lumbago, rheumatism, etc.--at this portion of the spine may suspect that some of the organs in what is called the pelvic cavity are causing them. The spinal nerves (lumbar nerves) on leaving the “small of the back” and proceeding lower down are distributed to the anus, rectum, bladder, uterus, etc., and when one or more of these organs are diseased the victim will have some of the symptoms in the portion of the back mentioned above. The earlier indications of a disease are usually localized, but, as the malady itself persists indefinitely, both the sufferer and his physician are often deceived as to the producing cause of the varying symptoms manifesting throughout the body. In this brief chapter I will confine myself to the diseases of the anus, rectum, and colon, as causing so much annoyance from the symptoms enumerated at or below the “small of the back.” The most common ailment that afflicts mankind is chronic catarrhal inflammation of the anus, rectum, and colon. The disease invades not only the mucous membrane but the whole bowel structure, and the nerves report from the seat of the trouble up to where they enter the spinal column--a region that should be called the porous-plaster region rather than the “small of the back.” The chronic inflammation involving eight to ten inches of the lower portion of the intestinal canal, like all other diseases, has its alternating periods of quietude and excitement; and the negligent sufferer must count on having “stitches in the back,”--cold in the back, lumbago, rheumatism, sciatica, etc., as they are usually called for want of a definite idea as to the _cause_ of the annoying symptoms. The physician consulted usually agrees with the sufferer’s diagnosis, and coincides with the application of bands, porous plasters, liniments, etc.--which may allay the neuralgic symptoms to some extent. The reader is so familiar with illustrations in the newspapers and on bill-boards of a man with a weak or lame back that it is unnecessary here to take up space with a pen picture descriptive of the symptoms and attitudes of a sufferer.