Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site randvax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!decvax!tektronix!hplabs!sdcrdcf!randvax!edhall
From: edhall@randvax.UUCP (Ed Hall)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: dried fruit (actually laxatives)
Message-ID: <2663@randvax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 22-Aug-85 23:27:58 EDT
Article-I.D.: randvax.2663
Posted: Thu Aug 22 23:27:58 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 26-Aug-85 09:56:44 EDT
References: <767@druak.UUCP> <323@bbncc5.UUCP> <1091@cbdkc1.UUCP> <406@bbncc5.UUCP> <1100@cbdkc1.UUCP>
Reply-To: edhall@rand-unix.UUCP (Ed Hall)
Distribution: na
Organization: Rand Corp., Santa Monica
Lines: 57
Xref: tektronix net.med:02281 

with
laxatives in general, since the chief absorptive functions of the large
intestine are minerals and the water left by the rest of the digestive
process; laxatives can disturb this process.  In the case of colonics it
is much worse, since the direction of absorption is reversed, and
minerals are actually removed from the body (by the same mechanism of
osmotic pressure that normally causes them to be absorbed).  Repeated
often enough, the result will be electrolyte imbalance, which can be
life-threatening. (In fact, millions of people in the third world die of
such imbalance each year--caused by diarrheal diseases and not colonics,
of course, though the mechanism is similar.)

This doesn't even mention the possibilities for disease transfer from
this procedure.  Several people died in the Denver area a few years
back from amoebic dynsentery traced to a chiropractor's colonic machine.
And there are occasional intestinal perforations and resulting
peritonitis (which is also often deadly).

As for ``enthusiasm'', well, bowel obsession is fairly common, even
to the point of sexual fixation.  I'm sure a scan through psychoanalytic
literature will turn up lots of cases.

So far as the sickly robed man in question we have no way of knowing,
but I'd say that my suspicion--that he *caused* rather than cured his
sickliness through his ``treatments''--is at least as likely as yours.

		-Ed Hall
		decvax!randvax!edhall

P.S. I've been reading a book on the origins and use of magic--from
a historical and psychoanalytical perspective--and it is giving me
a better understanding of the ``magical thinking'' that many health-
faddists engage in.  The title is _Stolen_Lightning_, and unfortunately
it is sitting at home or I'd include the author's name.