As already remarked, farinaceous and other concentrated aliments do not afford the requisite stimulus to the muscular fibres of the intestine; because they are in a great measure absorbed, and leave little to be thrown out. If, therefore, concentrated food be the cause of costiveness, the proper remedy is to alter the diet, and to have recourse to other means only where that proves insufficient. If, again, the inactivity of the bowels proceeds from the food not being sufficiently digested, and from their contents being on this account inadequate to excite them to healthy and regular action, it follows as a necessary consequence, that before we can expect to obtain intestinal regularity, digestion must be improved by steady perseverance in a proper regimen, and such other means as may be required to restore the tone of the stomach. It is in cases of this description that the practitioner is most frequently consulted. If he and the patient are satisfied with simply procuring relief, he has ready means at hand in any of the ordinary purgatives. But if a _cure_ is their object, they must go back to the root of the evil, and begin by restoring the digestive organs to health as the first step towards permanent success. The observance of a proper adaptation between the quantity of the food and the state of the digestive organs and mode of life, is then not less essential to the proper action of the bowels than to that of the stomach. If we eat more than the system requires, the bowels become oppressed and weakened by their load; and it is in such circumstances that purgatives afford immediate relief by the removal of the superfluity, and, by blinding the individual to the real nature of the evil, tempt him to recur too frequently to the use of medicine. Where, however, as most frequently happens, the constipation arises chiefly from the absence of all assistance from the abdominal and respiratory muscles, and in part only from an inappropriate diet, the first step to be taken is again to solicit the aid of the former--first, by removing all impediments to free respiration, such as stays, waistbands, and belts; and, secondly, by resorting to such active exercises as shall call the muscles into full and regular action: and the next is to proportion the quantity of food to the wants of the system, and to the condition of the digestive organs. If we employ these means systematically and perseveringly, we shall rarely fail in at last restoring the healthy action of the bowels with little aid from medicine. But if we set these natural conditions at defiance, we may go on for years, adding pill to pill and dose to dose, without ever attaining the end at which we aim.