In addition to the thyroid gland, there are other ductless glands which seem to influence the peristaltic movements by acting on the splanchnic nerves, and these are the sexual glands. In women they are frequently altered. Dysmenorrhœa, amenorrhœa, and other troubles are frequent, and constipation is a typical symptom of such conditions. This may also serve to explain why women are more often constipated than men. But the alteration of the sexual glands can also cause constipation in men, if we may draw the inference from the great frequency of constipation in diseases of the prostate gland, which to some extent may be in relation with the subject with which we are now dealing. In order to avoid constipation we must therefore observe a careful hygiene of the thyroid, and also of the sexual glands, following the advice we offer in special Chapters XVIII and XLVIII. Besides constipation, as above, from the central nervous system, the same may be caused through the lack of a stimulation which may come from the intestinal contents. As we have already seen, the peristaltic movements of the intestine and the expulsion of fæcal matter take place through the stimulation of the nerves in the intestinal walls by the intestinal contents, which act either mechanically or by the irritation which their fermentation causes. To prevent constipation we must take such nourishment as will act in a stimulating way, either mechanically, owing to its bulk, or by the fermentation it causes. In order to have good bowel movements we must create them, and this is best done, not by a diet of meat and finely ground cereals, which are absorbed with scarcely any residue to effect the purpose, but by one of vegetables and fruit, which contain cellulose in the largest quantity, this substance forming the framework of the structure in which the cells are imbedded; it constitutes the wall of the cells. This cellulose provides us with the best residue from food, which, if present in large quantities, will exercise a mechanically stimulating action on the intestinal walls. Vegetables are thus a valuable aid in the prevention of constipation, and of these the following are the best: spinach, carrots, green beans, and boiled lettuce, taking into consideration their action as laxative food. Cabbage also acts well as a bulky food. Graham bread and brown bread in general, and in particular a special kind, called “cellulose” bread, are also very good agents with which to prevent and to treat habitual constipation. Some breads, as various kinds made from bran, are so coarse that, to a certain extent, they may be considered as setting up a kind of internal massage of the intestines.