Happily such an instance is of the rarest occurrence in our profession, for we always ignore our own chance for a long life in favor of our patient’s, which is fully proved by the fact that, of all professions, the physician’s life is the shortest. Corsets as worn by women contribute to develop in them ptosed bowels—gastroptosis and enteroptosis—which can easily arise after pregnancy; the strength of the intestinal muscles becomes still more diminished and constipation is the consequence. It is not to be wondered at if women, and men also, in cases where the diet alone does not bring about an ordinary movement, should resort to drugs, several of which we have mentioned previously. At first, even the mildest drugs will act; but, unfortunately, after a time the intestine becomes accustomed to them and they cease to act. Stronger drugs are then resorted to, such as often contain aloes, which, besides injuring the stomach, act in a very irritating way on the intestines; these respond by a very strong action, causing copious stools accompanied by colicky pains. But it is in the nature of things, as we have observed holds true in any organ, that overstimulation of any function is followed by its exhaustion; thus the nerves and muscles of the intestine get over irritated and relax if obliged to overact. After a copious evacuation caused by strong drugs we, therefore, find a still more obstinate constipation than before. Stronger and stronger drugs are then used until there is a complete breakdown and ruin of the intestinal innervation and muscular action. We must, therefore, commence first with a suitable diet, then use mild drugs if necessary, with massage and electricity, as already described. Intestinal enemata are also beneficial, but if a large amount of liquid be used the muscular walls get too greatly dilated and may lose their elasticity and vitality, particularly if strong drugs be used in such enemas. Many women suffer from habitual constipation by reason of their drinking but little water, especially if the food they take contains little fluid; the fæcal masses become solid and coagulated, and thus their passage in the intestine toward the anal exit becomes more difficult, whereas by a sufficient quantity of liquid, such as water, this movement will be much facilitated; and that this is an important consideration is quite evident in the case of women who have a tendency to lethargic bowels. Such a thickening of the fæcal masses occurs particularly in certain parts of the intestines, such as the cæcum, the ascending colon, and the sigmoid flexure. In these parts the fæcal matters often become detached, accumulate, and easily get condensed. They may remain there sometimes for longer periods, which can easily be proved by experiments, giving bismuth by mouth and then examining the abdomen by means of the Roentgen rays.