DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 195 



Define costiveness. 



Costiveness is where there is a lack of secretion and the faeces 

 are small, hard, and dry, while in constipation there is no passage 

 at all. These terms, however, are used as synonyms. 



What are the causes ? 



Kind of food, too much food, want of or too much exercise, 

 old age, lack of secretions, stricture, hernia, paralysis, tumors, af- 

 fections of the stomach, liver, intestines, etc. 



How is constipation diagnosed ? 



By there not being any passage, by colicky pains, loss of 

 appetite. 



Give the prognosis. 



It depends on the cause and the complications; simple cases 

 recover. 



Outline the treatment. 



Attend to the diet; give laxative food occasionally to prevent 

 constipation. 



Laxatives or purges may be given; oil, calomel, aloes (in full 

 or broken doses), eserine, pilocarpine. 



Nux vomica with belladonna may be given to tone up the 

 nerves of the intestines. 



Enemas aid the purges by softening the contents of the bowels 

 and increasing peristalsis. 



If colicky pains are present, give anodynes, antispasmodics, 

 etc., as opium, chloral, cannabis indica, hyoscyamus. 



Nux vomica, belladonna, gentian, ginger, calumba, etc., may 

 be given to assist the purge and tone up the bowels. 



5. DISEASES OF THE PERITONEUM. 



PEEITONITIS. 



What are the forms? 



Peritonitis may be primary or secondary, general or local, acute 

 or chronic. 



Define peritonitis. 



This is an inflammation of the peritoneum. 



