Anal fin

“ To do something at home for one's self for relief from soreness and pain due to anal and rectal diseases, a few suitable instruments are required with which specific remedies may be used, especially that excellent remedy—water.
It is unfortunate that the anal and rectal canals cannot be given rest when invaded by disease. Daily elimination of feces is a very important factor to health and to treatment. ”

“ The muscle of the bowel is in a state of fatty degeneration, and atony and dilatation of the gut follow.
10. Painful affections about the rectum and anus deter persons from yielding to the desire for defecation. Fissure of the anus is the principal one of these, but fistula, hemorrhoids, and local eczema have a similar influence. A simple rigidity or spasmodic stricture of the anal sphincter creates constipation.4
4 Kunemann, De la Constipation compliqués de Contraction du Sphincter anal, et de son Traitement par la Dilatation de l'Anus, Paris, 1851. ”

“ Dilatation of the Anus—Anal Plug.—A very troublesome complication of the genital structural changes occurring in spermatorrhœa is induration of the mucous membrane and sub-mucous tissues. Where such a condition is present, little benefit should be expected until relief is obtained from the local difficulty.
The dilatation should be accomplished by suitable means; such as by bougies, or a bi-valve rectal speculum. An anal plug may be constructed that is self-sustaining, polypoid in shape, which will be of more service than compression of the anal surfaces. ”

“ People afflicted with habitual constipation are used to daily anal inunction of fatty substances, and during a long period of years are continually taking clysters, and also others afflicted with eczemas in the neighbourhood of the anus. ”

“ If the abnormally constricted condition of the anal orifice has been growing from bad to worse for years, the locality immediately above the anal canal will become dilated or cavernous (caused by retained feces or gases) , which cavity is called ballooning of the rectum. When a speculum is introduced into the rectum (as shown on page 14 of pamphlet How to Become Strong) , and through it a bent probe is inserted to determine the depth of the dilatation or abnormal cavity, it is as if one were poking inside of an inflated balloon: hence the name. ”

“ The anal and rectal mucous membrane is of a firm and tough structure, similar to the integument at the bottom of a boy's heel. After many years' observation of diseases of the anus and rectum I am forced to conclude that as a rule inflammation exists in the tissues twenty or more years before the severe symptoms, such as piles, fissure, anal pockets, pruritus, hypertrophy, atrophy, tabs, abscesses, and fistula, are sufficiently annoying to compel the sufferer to seek medical aid. ”

“ In every case of chronic proctitis, or inflammation of the anus and rectum, the sigmoid flexure must be more or less dilated, as the upper part of the rectum is very irritable and contracted and inhibits the feces from passing beyond the sigmoid; but this irritability and contraction of the rectum, as a rule, is not nearly so severe as that of the anal canal, whose orifice is closed by very strong sphincter muscles. ”

“ The anus may be puffy and swollen with mucopurulent secretion from the anal glands, which soils the hair of the hips and tail. If the abdomen is flaccid, manipulation with both hands on opposite sides usually detects a solid mass representing the impacted rectum and colon, and extending from the pelvis forward, often to the sternum. ”

“ For the first time in the history of enemata appliances can an enema, recurrent douche, or vaginal injection be taken with water at any desired temperature and at the same time be medicated with any remedy desired. External pressure against the anal orifice is regulated at will; also the flushing of the integument about the anus and buttocks is easily accomplished before leaving the toilet seat. ”

“ The symptoms of anal fissure often simulate so closely those of uterine disease and bladder affections that the surgeon is led astray and overlooks the real seat and true nature of the malady. Occasionally the spasmodic condition of the sphincter in these cases simulates the symptoms of stricture; but a thorough examination will dispel all uncertainty by revealing the presence of the ulcer. ”

“ There is often oozing from the anal orifice a purulent-like fluid mixed with blood. The introduction of the finger into the rectum is very painful, causing contraction of the levator and sphincter muscles. It is only the employ- ment of considerable force with a large sexual member that can in these first few days cause relaxation of the sphincter by either inordi- nately expanding or actually tearing it. ”

“ It is very fortunate for the sufferer from ballooning of the rectum to have in or near the anal canal those painful hints or symptoms of a very grave and long existing disease whose constitutional symptoms were well marked but attributed to other causes, especially to disease of the liver—an organ of so much solicitude that the poor liver-worshipping patient ought to receive more gracious response from it. ”

“ How the act of unnatural intercourse takes place is not entirely clear; the hoboes are not agreed. From what I have personally observed I should say that it is usually what they call "leg-work" (intercrural) , but sometimes immissio penis in anum, the boy, in either case, lying on his stomach. I have heard terrible stories of the physical results to the boy of anal intercourse. ”

“ It is but natural that the lower portion of the rectal and anal structures should be affected more severely than any other portion of the intestines by the ulcerative, inflammatory process. The sphincter muscles are very strong, as a rule, and fill their office only too well when the anal and rectal canals are in a diseased state, for they effectually prevent the contents from escaping. ”

“ Towards its terminal part it traverses the ventricle of the heart, except in Ostrea, Anomia, Teredo, and a few more. The anus is always at the posterior end of the animal, adjacent to and slightly above the adductor muscle.
Anal glands, which open into the rectum close to the anus, are present in some Prosobranchiata, e.g. Murex, Purpura. In the Cephalopoda the anal gland becomes of considerable size and importance, and is generally known as the ink-sac (Fig. 147) ; [242] it occurs in all known living genera, except Nautilus. ”

“ In many children, however, gentle scratching of the anal region or the buttocks, and also more powerful stimulation of the gluteal region, such as occurs in flagellation, are associated with sexual excitement. ”

“ Peters- burg, particularly among the women, as also among prostitutes, sodomy is of extremely rare occurrence.
On men the overflow of the suppuration from the ulcers on the penis is generally stopped on its way down towards the anus by the scrotum, and therefore soft chancres near the anus are far less frequently observed on men, than on women. Nevertheless, scratching the anal region with the finger
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which may have retained upon it venereal matter after dressing an ulcer, may sometimes be the cause of an auto-inoculated chancre in the radial folds. ”

“ The anus would, however, seem to be sometimes an erogenous zone even at an early age. Titillation of the anus appears to be frequently pleasurable in women; and this is not surprising considering the high degree of erotic sensitivity which is easily developed at the body orifices where skin meets mucous membrane. (Thus the meatus of the urethra is a highly erogenous zone, as is sufficiently shown by the frequency with which hair-pins and other articles used in masturbation find their way into the bladder.) ”

“ In cases in which there is a fistula of the bladder the subject may live for some time, in some cases passing excrement through the urethra, in others, urine by the anus. These cases seem to have been of particular interest to the older writers, and we find the literature of the last century full of examples. Benivenius, Borellus, the Ephemerides, Tulpius, Zacutus Lusitanus, and others speak of excrement passing through the penis; and there are many cases of vaginal anus recorded. Langlet cites an instance in which the intestine terminated in the bladder. ”

“ The anus is a deeply pigmented, puckered opening situated an inch and a half or two inches behind the vagina. It is guarded by two bands of strong circular muscles, the internal and external sphincter ani. The skin covering the surface of the body extends upward into the anus where it becomes highly vascular and merges into the mucous lining of the rectum. Pressure exerted during pregnancy by the enlarged uterus is felt in both the rectum and bladder, frequently causing a good deal of discomfort and almost painful desire to evacuate their contents. ”

“ By this mechanism, the urethra, which usually serves as the canal for the outflow of urine, is made for the time being solely subservient to the purposes of the sexual act. That the outlet from the bladder is obstructed by the swollen caput gallinaginis when the penis is erect, is shown by the familiar fact that a man whose penis is erect cannot pass water, although the way is freely open for the ejaculation of the semen. ”

“ I think there is no need for disgust concerning the urinary organs, though I feel that the anus can never be attractive to the normal mind; but the anus is quite separate from the genitals. I would suggest that the proximity serves a good end in making the organs more or less secret except at times of sexual emotion or to those in love. The result is some degree of repulsion at ordinary times and a strong attraction at times of sexual activity. ”

“ In consequence of prostatic enlargement, pain is felt in the perineum, with occasional throbbing, and a sense of weight; there is frequent desire to make water, the bladder is irritable, and discharges ropy mucus. There is more or less irritation of the lower bowels; there is an almost constant desire to empty the rectum, from a feeling of fulness there, and pain, often severe, is felt on going to stool; when the enlargement is great, the bowel is considerably compressed, and the feces, when solid, are passed flattened like portions of tape. ”

“ Operations for Artificial Anus.—In children the condition known as imperforate anus may sometimes be remedied by exploratory operations in the perineum, guided by the protrusion caused by the distended intestine. There are other cases, however, in which the rectum, as well as the anus, seems to be deficient, and in which, from the want of protrusion, there is no warrant for attempting an operation there; in these the only chance of life that remains is in an attempt to open the bowel higher up. ”

“ A diseased action is set up which results in enlargement and hardening. It is felt as a hard body just anterior to the anus, and becomes by pressure the source of much additional mischief. Sometimes the disease progresses to dangerous ulceration. It is attended by heat, pressure, and pain between the anus and the root of the penis.
Urinary Diseases.—The same congestion and irritability extend to the bladder and thence to the kidneys, producing irritation and inflammation of those organs. Mucus is often formed in large quantities; sometimes much is retained in the bladder. ”

“ Of a violent inflammation of the penis, which had originated in unclean intercourse with a beast, with a coruncle, or knot, constricting the urethra, cured in a manner to the last degree empirical and cruel. The penis being laid on a rough stone, the Physician suddenly when the patient was not expecting it, struck it as heavily as ever he could with his doubled fist, so that the stoppage and ulcer might burst. This case has a smack of the Venereal disease about it; and might serve as an argument for those who hold that this disease was known to the Ancients as well. ”

“ Previously to disturbing the lower end of the rectum from its natural position in the perinaeum, its close relation to the prostate and base of the bladder should be noticed. While the anus remains connected with the deep perinaeal fascia in front, the fibres of the levator ani muscle of the left side may be divided; and by now inserting the finger between them and the rectum, the left lobe of the prostate can be felt in apposition with the forepart of the bowel, an inch or two above the anus. ”

“ Too often such cases prove fatal, or at least a recovery is not attained, and urine or feces or both escape freely into the vagina. The simple laceration of the anus is easily sewed up, but the ends of the muscular fibers do not reunite and the control over the lower bowel is never fully reacquired. The successful stitching up of the wound communicating with the bladder or the rectum requires unusual skill and care, and though I have succeeded in a case of the latter kind, I can not advise the attempt by unprofessional persons. ”

“ In the male it may spread over the penis, involve the glans, scrotum, and upper part of the thighs. In either sex it may spread in the course of years to the pubes, over the perineum, and into the rectum, the recto-vaginal septum in the female ultimately breaking down. At times a profuse watery discharge exudes and even drips from the surface of the new growth, soiling the clothes, soddening the skin, and emitting a peculiarly offensive odour. ”

“ Motion, particularly jolting as in rough riding, causes pain. This pain is referred to the lower part of the belly, to the perineum, to the end of the penis, the urethra, the anus. The straining after urination may be absent or of the most intense character, leading to prolapse of the rectum and causing excruciating torture. The urine always contains pus scattered through it, and generally also more or less pus in that semi-solid condition known as stringy mucus. Stringy mucus is pus gelatinized by the ammonia of the decomposing urine. ”