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Note:  Do not rely on this information. It is very old.

Enema

Enema, or Clystse. Drugs and nutrient material are sometimes administered by injecting them into the lower bowel. Such an injection is termed an enema (from a Greek word signifying to inject). A simple enema prescribed with the object of emptying the lower bowel in constipation usually consists of warm water, or soap-and-water, with the addition sometimes of castor oil. Nutrient enemata are given where food cannot be retained when administered by the mouth; or where, as in stricture of the oesophagus, there is a difficulty in swallowing, and consequently in the passage of nutrient material from the mouth into the stomach.