In previous chapters, also in my book, _Intestinal Ills_, I have made plain the causes contributing to chronic constipation and the use of enemas and their origin. _Prehension_ and _elimination_ are two subjects that are vital to the welfare of man. If the eliminating power of the intestinal canal is normally active, the fortunate individual may eat abundantly, or really in excess of the requirements of the system, and still escape any ill effects, such as indigestion, biliousness, acid in the urine, etc. The hearty consumer of food whose bowels eliminate properly may suffer a loss of appetite, but it will not be accompanied with foulness of the digestive apparatus. When all the organs of the body perform their functions in a normal manner, no part of the structure is in immediate need of repair. Every organ whose function consists in building tissues, muscles, or some other part of the body, having a sufficient supply of reserve nutriment on hand, makes known this state throughout the organism; hence there is no craving for food, no appetite, although the tongue, stomach, and intestines are in a normal condition. In this state of surplus of nourishment the person may omit a few meals or partake sparingly until the expenditure is equal to the income. But such physiological happiness is not for the person whose intestinal canal and system are clogged and foul from undue retention of excrementitious material, causing no desire for food, while all the atomic builders of the body are wanting nourishment and protesting through the nervous system against their impoverished condition. Sufferers from self-poisoning, as described in this chapter, should irrigate the system thoroughly by frequent drinking and by copious injections of water into the bowels. The action of the enema if properly given and the drinking of water that is pure or distilled increase the quantity of urine and diminish the renal congestion, while increasing the eliminative action of the skin. Irrigation of the bowels for fifty minutes or more with hot water (120 to 125 degrees) increases the action of the kidneys. Hot irrigation (125 to 135 degrees) is especially recommended to increase the discharge of urine and the action of the skin, and should be continued for sixty minutes or more. The Intestinal Recurrent Douche, described in a subsequent chapter, is an excellent instrument for the employment of hot water to produce diuresis and diaphoresis. The Chemung Spring Water and Clynta Double-Distilled Water, sold in New York, are excellent drinking waters and can be obtained at a moderate price. CHAPTER XVI. RATIONAL SANITATION AND HYGIENE.