Foreign bodies are sometimes introduced into the rectum for the relief of constipation, by accident or for other purposes. Persons living in regions where lime-salts are abundant are very frequently sufferers from enteritis, the result of small lime-salt incrustations.

Symptoms. Pain, tenements, discharge of blood and mucus, or disturbances of neighboring organs, dependent upon the size of the body contained within the rectum, the length of time retained and the character of the material. Genitourinary symptoms are, as a rule, among the first associated with attempts at expulsion of the foreign body.

Diagnosis. The diagnosis is in some cases quite difficult until some definite information regarding the introduction of such material into the cavity is given and then verified by digital or spectroscopic examination. The symptoms indicating an irritation of the rectum will aid in clearing up the diagnosis.

Treatment. The rational treatment is the removal of the foreign body with the fingers if small, and without injury to the mucous membrane or muscular walls. If the foreign body is sharp or large and apt to produce pain or injury, a general anesthetic should be administered and the greatest care exercised to prevent further trouble. •

Antiseptic irrigation should be recommended for a few days to relieve the traumatic proctorial, and if necessary in adults a suppository containing morphine or opium. When considerable edema is present as the result of sharp pieces of metal, glass or other foreign bodies, it may be necessary to cut the rectum posterior sufficient to allow extraction.

In some instances, when the foreign body is high up in the rectum where attempts at removal through the rectum would injure the mucous membrane and prove dangerous, extraction may be made from above by colostomy, it being safer from a surgical point of view.