Medical dictionaries make only a slight difference.
Chiropractors should make a special distinction between constipation and costiveness. The two conditions resemble each other in the infrequency of evacuation, in no other sign or symptom are they alike. In the character of the stool there is a great difference. The prolapsed condition of the stomach, kidneys, uterus, bowels, rectum, the conditions known as hernia, floating kidneys, prolapsus uteri, and hemorrhoids are because of a lack of tone, a relaxation of the abdominal nerves. Chiropractors should become aware of this condition resulting from relaxation and undue tension.