The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-03-19
downright. 1914. by A. S. Gray)
CAUSES OF INTESTINAL TROUBLE

An intimate knowledge OF the mai
ner in which profound changes in tn
/ mechanism of the gastrO-lnteStlni
| tract may easily come about at a yer
early age is of the greatest importanc
to every person DESTROYS Of endoWln
his offspring with the fundamentals Q
| a happy and successful life. TO a.
! such persons an amount Of study equiv
alent at least to that required of tn
average individual in order to attain
# the knowledge and techniC neCeSSar,
/ to fit him to operate a sewing ma
p chine or an automobile intelligently
and without risk of running the ma
chine because of lack of that required
5 knowledge, is most earnestly recon
mended
It is argued by many that sucl
, knowledge is not necessary because
natural instincts are alleged to be a
sufficient guide. But this is not true
for humanity's environment has
changed mere during the last SO
years than during the previous 299,95O
years of its probable minimum exist
ence, and instincts" do not count
we have not sufficient time to devel-
op instincts required by existing con-
dltlons. and must, therefore, try to use
| reason instead. The recommended in
| formation may easily be secured
from a short study Of the pictures
and diagrams contained in any stand
ard work on anatomy, such as NAV be
found in practically every public H.
brary, or from anatomical charts in
general
Particular attention is called to the
large intestine comprising the cecum,
the colon, the sigmoid flexure and the
rectum. The cecum is the blind
pouch or sac in which the large intes-
tine begins and into which the ilium,
or small intestine, opens from one
side. The vermiform (wormlike) ap-
pendlX is attached to the cecum, and
this is the little body which makes us
SO much trouble under the name of
appendicitis. The cecum constitutes
sort of cesspool or catch basin low
down in the right abdominal cavity,
and from it. running up the right side,
rises the ascending colon. Turning
at right angle, the ascending colon
becomes the transverse colon. extend
Ing straight across the upper abdom.
mai cavity to the left side, where it
again turns and becomes the descend
ing colon, following down the left side
TO the left lower abdominal cavity,
where it once more turns, forming a
loop known as the sigmoid fiexure.
which joins the rectum.
Every human animal still comes
into the world quadruped, a four.
footed animal, and struggle extend
ing over fourteen to twenty months is
required of every individual before
the physical development required for
the general mechanical mastery of
graVltation and the idea are attained
whereby We are able tc assume the
vertical and walk in the upright posi-.
ton. But it is grave error to as
sumo that the attainment Of the abil-
lty to overcome gravity ends the strug-
gle, because it does not. Gravity Is
mans implacable enemy; it is per
slstently in operation tending to drag
him down.
With this idea firmly fixed in mind
investigation makes it very clear that
there are at least six points in the
large intestine alone where the ordi-
nary mechanical laws may easily pro-
duce serious physical changes when.
ever there is the least tendency toward
excavation. The first point is in the
cecum, which may relax and sag IN.
der grsvitational pull in any weakened
physical state. The second is at the
point where the ascending colon turns
and becomes the transverse colon
functional obstruction similar to that
resulting from a sharp bend in a water
nose Is not uncommon at this point
Sagglng of the transverse colon in the
middle, forming a festoon, a deem
curve instead of a straight line across
me abdomen, constitutes the third
point. The downward turn of the trans.
'erse colon into the descending colon
the fourth point, which oh
'lously must be more likely to kink
ne greater the degree of sag in the
transverse colon. The fifth and sixth
POINTS are in the turns of the sigmoid
lexure, between the descending colon
md the rectum. ,
Under the conditions Of modern in. {
the trunk of the body is 8
maintained in the erect position, eth. ,
+ standing or sitting, practically from :
ne time we rise in the morning I'M. .
IL we go to bed at night, and all tho
lme the trunk is erect gravity is at E
Work pulling the intestinal organs +
own and out of position. This ton. Il
ency to drop or sag must very obvj. q
usly be exaggerated by any condition i
weakness, and therefore, because f
ny food supply not of maternal origin 4
universally recognized as being de. p
Gent IN nutritive qualities and gen. |,
raj source of ill health, it is reason. r,
Ole 10 assume that all infants SO fed =
Ill be peculiarly liable to intestinal :,