An enema (plural enemata or enemas) is the procedure of introducing liquids into the bowel via the anus. Enemas can be carried out for medical reasons, as part of alternative therapies, and also for erotic purposes, particluarly as part of BDSM activities. In earlier times, they were often known as clysters.The three main usages of enemas are:
- ( Mechanical) laxative effect; the patient expels excrements with the enema water in the toilet after administration. Enemas (known as clysters) were the primary method for alleviating stomach aches up to the 19th century in the Western world bourgeoisie and nobility. They may also be used for cleaning the lower bowel prior to a medical or surgical procedure. Enemas given for that purpose may consist only of plain water, or may contain some chemicals in solution (such as soap).
- The administration of substances into the bloodstream in a manner similar to that of suppositories. An enema may also be used for hydratation purposes. See also route of administration.
Enemas are nowadays administered mostly with bulb syringe s for small quantities or fountain syringe s (similar to doucheA douche (/doosh/, French for " shower") generally describes a stream of water or a device used to introduce a stream of water into the body for medical or "sanitary" reasons. In this sense, it is similar to an enema, however the term is used colloquially bags, and often dual-usage) for larger quantities. In former times, they were administered using clyster syringes.
A French engraving, ca 1780 shows the long-standing prurient interest in the clyster
1 Non-medical usage
Except for a few specialist medical uses, enemas are no longer part of mainstream medical therapy.
In certain countries such as the United StatesThe United States of America also referred to as the United States U. America ¹ or the States is a federal republic in central North America, stretching from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. It shares land borders with Canada in, enema usage went well into the 20th century19th century 20th century 21st century more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901- 2000 in the sense of the Gre; it was thought a good idea to cleanse the bowel in case of feverFever also known as pyrexia is a medical symptom which describes an increase in temperature to levels which are above normal (37 degrees Celsius 98. 6 degrees Fahrenheit). An adaptive mechanism, fever is the body's reaction to pathogens; it attempts to ki; also, pregnant women were given enemas prior to laborChildbirth (also called labour birth or parturition is the culmination of pregnancy, the emergence of a child from its mother's uterus. It can be considered the opposite of death, as it is the beginning of a person's life. Age is defined relative to this so as to reduce the risk of feces being passed during contractions as well as inducing contractions. This latter usage has since been largely abandoned, in part because the health benefits are unclear and because women generally found the procedure unpleasant.
The paraphilia directed towards enemas is known as klismaphilia. Enemas are available as a service from many practitioners in the sex industry to cater to klismaphiliac desires, and may be used as part of BDSM activities.
2 Colonic irrigation
Colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy is a large enema which cleanses the whole colon. It was in vogue for hygienic purposes at the beginning of the 20th century (see John Harvey Kellogg) and remains popular as an alternative health therapy in most parts of the world. Advocates believe that, when carried out by trained personnel using sterile equipment, it can be a safe and valuable tool for eliminating toxins from the body and restoring normal muscular activity in the colon.
