The more we investigate the ramifications of constipation the more we learn of its seriousness and of its significance.
CONSTIPATION IS ALWAYS HARMFUL.--There is no period in life when constipation can be borne with impunity. Youth, with its virility and vitality, will endure its consequences with an apparent negation, so far as positive or specific results are concerned, but it is only an apparent impunity. There is always a certain amount of strength built up, held in reserve as a heritage of youth, which will withstand a certain amount of physical license, but if this reserve is assailed by an unnecessary imposition, and is successfully undermined, there will be infinitely less reserve to call upon in the legitimate battle of life. Life is too real, too concentrated, too strenuous, and health is too precious to be wilfully wasted in any form of self-abuse.
CONSTIPATION AND PREGNANCY.--Mothers will appreciate from the foregoing explanation why constipation is eugenically a crime during pregnancy. The evils which result from constipation mechanically, frequently have serious consequences by interfering with the circulation of the blood to the womb, by forcing the womb to assume wrong positions, by straining at stool, and by preventing the kidneys from functionating properly; these may render the life of the pregnant woman miserable, and may be the direct cause of a painful, prolonged, difficult labor. The evils which result from constipation because of the absorption of poisons by the bowel are of the gravest importance during pregnancy. These poisons affect the general health; the victim is tired, listless, and apathetic, and is thereby disinclined to exercise adequately; the appetite is poor; there are headaches, neuralgias, insomnia, nervousness, melancholia, and general mental and physical inertness. What hope may a pregnant woman entertain of having "an easy confinement," or of bringing a healthy child into the world under these circumstances? Who is to blame? Sometimes it is necessary to tell the unadorned truth,--the woman is to blame. No woman has a right to assume the responsibilities of maternity who has not had enough respect for herself to discontinue habits which caused this failing, or who has not had strength of will enough to begin its successful cure. Get busy,--do something,--it is never "too late," but do it now.