in the folds of the large intestine.  If the patient is confined to bed, she should lie on the left side, with a heavy towel folded under her to prevent the bed from becoming wet; when the nurse withdraws the nozle she should make pressure on the anus with the towel, to help the patient to retain the water as long as possible.  But should the patient have gone so long without a bowel movement that all these means fail, it will be necessary to precede the water enema with one of oil; or still more effective is the following combination:  take one teaspoonful of the spirits of turpentine, the yolk of one egg, and two tablespoonfuls of olive oil, and beat well together, and add to these one pint of water at a temperature of 110° F. Constipation, however, of so obstinate a character as this demands a physician’s attention.

Diarrhea.—­ A diarrhea may be acute or chronic; the treatment is essentially different.  For an acute attack accompanied by frequent stools and severe abdominal pain the first thing to do is to go to bed.  If there is nausea, drink a glass of water as hot as can be taken, at once; for the diet, a glass of scalded milk, not boiled but just allowed to come to the boiling-point, every two hours; and nothing else should be taken until the diarrhea is well in check.  If the pain is severe, a spice plaster over the abdomen will be found to be very comforting.  It is made as follows:  take of powdered allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger each two tablespoonfuls, and two teaspoonfuls of cayenne pepper; mix well together in a bowl; then quilt in a piece of flannel large enough to cover the abdomen; when ready for use, dip in hot whisky and apply as hot as the patient can bear; cover over with a large napkin, as the plaster produces a deep stain which does not wash out; keep on as long as necessary.  If the rest in bed and the milk diet kept up for twenty-four hours do not suffice to cure the diarrhea, it is not wise to take any risks, but send for your doctor at once.  Or if there should be any blood in the stools, do not wait for anything, but send for the doctor without delay.

For a chronic diarrhea an enema given in the knee-chest position, as already described, will often be found a most efficient remedy.  In diarrheas the use of fruits and vegetables should be avoided; the best diet after the milk is bread well toasted through, toast-water, soft-boiled eggs, beefsteak, oyster stew, and clam broth.

Vaginal Douche.—­ To be of service except for mere cleansing purposes the douche must be taken in the horizontal position, either on a couch or, if it is not cold, on the floor.  Of course, this position necessitates the use of a douche-pan.  The douche-pan is best of agate-ware, oblong in shape, and with a broad strip which comes under the nates.  On lying down to take the douche the nates must come down well over the pan and the clothing must be pushed well up to prevent the water from seeping up the back.  To make the woman more comfortable there should be a pillow under the head, and she must have a shawl or some light woolen material to throw over her while taking the douche to prevent chilling; thus doing more harm than good.