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Studies on water and soap enemas

  • Published:
The American Journal of Digestive Diseases

Summary

  1. 1.

    The balloon technique for the study of colon motility is discussed.

  2. 2.

    The influences of extraneous factors commonly encountered in an experiment are discussed.

  3. 3.

    Enemas of soap solution or tap water were found to be more efficient in producing defecation than white mineral oil.

  4. 4.

    For the purpose of quantitating colon motility, first, the active and quiet periods are shown in sharp contrast, and second, the time spent in activity is expressed on a percentage basis.

  5. 5.

    During the first 50 minutes following the administration of soap or water enemas, in the continuous experiments, the percentage of activity was found to be less than that of the controls.

  6. 6.

    In the interrupted experiments, when expulsion of the enema was permitted, a similar but more lasting decrease in colon activity was observed than in the continuous experiments.

  7. 7.

    The decrease in colon activity associated with soap or water enemas is in marked contrast to the results previously obtained with oil enemas.

  8. 8.

    Under the experimental conditions used in this study, soap solution and tap water enemas were found to exert comparable effects on colon activity. This work was conducted under the general supervision of Dr. A. J. Carlson to whom we are greatly indebted.

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The Departments of Physiology of the University of Chicago and Loyola University School of Medicine.

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Templeton, R.D., Borkon, E.L. Studies on water and soap enemas. A.J.D.D. 5, 809–814 (1938). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03006097

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03006097

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