An Ancient Method of Healing.........Still Healing Today.
Historians tell us that the practice of colon hydrotherapy or, in its most basic form,
the enema was first used by the ancient Egyptians. There are numerous reports of the frequent use of the enema by the Egyptians, with all of them referencing a papyrus of the 14th century B.C. stored in the Royal Museum of Berlin. Direction for the use of the enema and remedies for over 20 stomach and intestinal complaints “to drive our excrements” are mentioned.
Use of the enema was not limited just to Egyptians. Information on the use of enemas was recorded on Babylonian and Assyrian tablets, as early as 600 B.C., and there are references recorded in Hindu medical texts, such as the ones written by Susruta, the father of Hindy surgery on the use of the enema.
The Greeks and Romans also contributed to the history of the enema. First Hippocrates, the well known Greek physician, recorded using enemas for fever therapy and disorders of the body in the 4th and 5th century B.C. The Roman physician, Asclepiades, who is credited with establishing medicine in Rome, preferred the enema over use of laxatives and he also reported using enemas for intestinal worms and fevers.
Chronologically, the next written report on the use of enemas comes from Celsus, the author of “de Medicina” one of the first medical books. The Greek physician Galen, (2nd century
A.D.) one of the most skilled physicians of his time, was also a proponent of the use of enemas. The enema was also a favorite mode of treatment for Nigerians and the early
African races. It is reported that along the Ivory Coast the inhabitants administered the enemas by use of a calabash filled with water, while in certain African tribes, a hollowed
cow horn was utilized for the enema.
From the 11th to the 15th century, the enemas was still relatively unknown and was not available to the masses. During the middle ages, information on the enema continued to grow and the use of the enema became the popular vogue of the wealthy and even reached to the highest levels of Royalty. With the growth in popularity, the evolution of the enema apparatus had to follow.
In 1480, Louis Xl suffered an attack of apoplexy which was relieved by an enema, administered by his physician. The king became such an ardent advocate of the enema that he even had his pet dogs cleansed when he thought they required it.
The 17th century became known as the ‘age of the enema.’ It was the fashion in Parisian societies to enjoy as many as 3 or 4 enemas a day, the popular belief being that an internal washing was essential to well-being. It was this acceptance by the public that took the enema from the hands of an apothecary and put it into the hands of the public. But in spite
of the surge in popularity, the real growth of the enema did not come until the apparatus could be self-operated.
The enema reached the height of fashion in the early years of the reign of Louis XIV (1638-1715) who, it is reported had over 2,000 enemas during his career. The King even
received court functionaries and visitors during the procedure.
By the middle of the 18th century, the idea of developing complete enema apparatus systems had began. It was Vincent Priessniz who is the individual credited with developing
the use of the enema into a systematic form of therapy.
During the late 19th and early 20th century, the use of colon hydrotherapy, and enemas, slowly dwindled among the medical community as laxatives and other drugs became more
commercially available and easier to administer.
It wasn’t until the practice of Dr. Kellogg, that the therapy was rejuvenated. In addition to proper nutrition, Dr. Kellogg was a huge proponent of the enema in the treatment of many
diseases. He reported in the 1917 Journal of American Medicine, “In over 40,000
cases of gastrointestinal diseases, surgery was only needed in 20 of these cases. The rest were helped by proper nutrition and Colon Irrigation.”
His ideas are even parodied in the movie The Road to Wellville with Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Kellogg and a shocked Matthew Broderick receiving an enema.
Finally in 1932, Dr. Kerr Russell wrote a book entitled Colonic Irrigation which was the first documented use of the term ’colonic irrigation’. He quotes: “Colon irrigation thoroughly cleanses the walls, removes abnormal mucus, and also empties the bowel. The tone of the colonic muscle is improved and the blood supply augmented.”
Following Dr. Russell’s lead, more books were published on the subject: Chronic Intestinal Toxemia and its Treatment by Dr. James Wiltsie in 1938 and; Scientific Intestinal Irrigation by Dr. E.g. Waddington in 1940. When Colon Hydrotherapy gained the attention of these two popular physicians, great value was placed on the therapeutic benefits of this modality.
“Abnormal functioning of the intestinal canal is the precursor of much ill health, especially of chronic disease conditions” quotes Waddington.
Dr. Wiltsie contends that:
”Our knowledge of the colon has not kept pace with that of many organs and systems of the body. As long as we continue to assume that the colon will take care of itself, just that long will we remain in complete ignorance of perhaps the most important source of ill health
in the whole body.”
From the 1940’s, colon hydrotherapy equipment continued to evolve, and by the early 1950’s Colon Hydrotherapy was flourishing in the United States.
The prestigious Beverly Boulevard in Californiawas then known as “colonic row.” However, towards the mid-1960’s, the use of colon irrigation and colonic hydrotherapy slowly dwindled until the early 1970’s when most Colon Hydrotherapy equipment was removed from hospitals and nursing homes in favor or the colostomy, fleet enemas and prescriptive laxatives and antibiotics.
In summary, through misconceptions, misunderstandings and preconceived emotionalism, controversy has prevailed, accomplished nothing.
Historically, we recognize two unequivocal conclusions:
First, there is something of value to this modality or it would have been conclusively withdrawn;
Second, that through lack of professional control and study, Colon Hydrotherapy never
received the attention and recognition it justly deserves.
Today, with modern technological advancements in colon hydrotherapy equipment along with educated and skilled hygienist, Colon Hydrotherapy has become a valuable modality to the physician in treating disease. At the time of this writing, Colon Hydrotherapy is still relatively unknown and misunderstood. Combined with sound nutrition, exercise and a positive mental and spiritual outlook, Colon Hydrotherapy can play an important
role in achieving and maintaining vibrant health.
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