Gastroenterology

With surgical intervention unavailable until the nineteenth century, cathartics and enemas have always been a popular way of “cleaning the system” in order to maintain Galen’s humours in balance. Greek historian Herodotus commented on Egyptian customs: “They purge themselves every month, three days in succession seeking to preserve health by emetics and clysters; for they suppose that all diseases to which men are subject proceed from the food they use.”