Insufficient food may cause it, because the mass is not large enough to be acted on by the muscular movements of the intestines. Too much strong tea, by its astringent action, lessens the secretions of mucus and causes the mass to become too dry. Too little water may be taken and the food not sufficiently moistened; food may be concentrated and leave little residue. Overeating, especially when the intestinal muscles are weak, furnishes a greater bulk than the intestines have the power to propel, hence a semi-paralysis and inactivity result. Anxiety and grief or worry may inhibit the action of the nerves and thus cause a stagnation of movement on the part of the bowels. The _cause_ of the difficulty must be ascertained before relief can be gained. The most natural relief for constipation, therefore, comes through exercise, particularly when directed to the muscles of the stomach and of the intestines and to the nerve centers controlling them. The free use of water and such foods as figs and raisins, prunes, dates, grapes, apples, and rhubarb, which are laxative in effect, are helpful. These have best effect when eaten just before retiring or when the stomach is empty. The use of vegetables which furnish a large bulk of fiber is often beneficial. Cabbage, celery, lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, oyster plant, and asparagus consist largely of residue. Onions are also laxative, especially when boiled. Tomatoes possess a special laxative effect for many individuals. When derangements of digestion make raw fruits undesirable, they may be cooked and thus used for their laxative effect. They are not so laxative when cooked with much sugar, because much sugar may cause fermentation and gas. A little bicarbonate of soda added to acid fruits after cooking will correct the acidity and not so much sugar will be needed. Two or three glasses of water should be taken on rising and before retiring. This cleanses the stomach as well as aids in relieving the dryness of the bowel contents. Oatmeal, or any cereal containing the bran, is laxative. Such are bran or corn-meal bread, Boston brown bread made with molasses, and Graham bread. Children should be trained to attend to Nature’s call regularly _every_ day. The best time is shortly after breakfast. [Sidenote: Enteritis] _Inflammation or Catarrh of the Intestines_ is similar in its nature to Gastritis or Catarrh of the Stomach. _Acute Enteritis_, or cholera morbus, is usually caused by a strong irritant—either by some food which disagrees, by unripe fruits, or by a mass of undigested food. A fast of two or three days is the usual initial dietetic treatment. A free drinking of water not only soothes the irritated intestines, but it cleanses the intestinal tract and assists in eliminating elements of fermentation; if these are not eliminated, they will be absorbed into the blood. Absolute quiet in bed is necessary.