Clyster

An enema used historically for medical purposes

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1. REDIRECT Enema

Clyster

A clyster is a type of enema that was historically used for medical purposes. The term "clyster" is derived from the Greek word "klysterion," meaning "to wash out." Clysters were commonly used from ancient times through the 19th century as a means of cleansing the bowels, administering medication, or providing nourishment.

Historical Use

Clysters have been used since antiquity, with references found in the works of Hippocrates and Galen. In the Middle Ages, clysters were a common treatment for a variety of ailments, believed to balance the humors and cleanse the body of impurities. During the Renaissance, the use of clysters became more widespread, often administered by barber-surgeons or apothecaries.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, clysters were a fashionable treatment among the European aristocracy. They were often used to relieve constipation, treat fevers, and even as a method of delivering tobacco smoke or other substances into the body. The procedure typically involved a syringe-like device with a nozzle, which was inserted into the rectum to deliver the liquid.

Medical Applications

Clysters were used for various medical purposes, including:

• Laxative purposes: To relieve constipation and cleanse the bowels.
• Medication delivery: To administer drugs directly into the bloodstream via the rectal mucosa.
• Nutritional support: In cases where oral feeding was not possible, nutrient solutions could be delivered rectally.

Decline in Use

The use of clysters began to decline in the 19th century with the advent of modern medicine and the development of more effective and less invasive treatments. The introduction of oral medications and improved understanding of human physiology reduced the reliance on enemas for therapeutic purposes.

Modern Perspective

Today, the term "clyster" is largely historical, with modern medicine using the term "enema" to describe similar procedures. Enemas are still used in certain medical contexts, such as bowel preparation before surgery or diagnostic procedures, but they are much less common than in the past.

Also see

• Enema
• Hippocrates
• Galen
• Humorism
• Barber surgeon