The digestive tract is remarkably susceptible to faith. People who suffer from constipation are often remarkably destitute of it. They prefer to believe the worst about themselves. They even seem to get a morbid satisfaction out of it. No matter how encouraging has been the outcome in other eases, they are sure there is no hope for themselves; that they are incurable.

An energetic conviction that the trouble can and will be cured counts tremendously in curing it. That is why science and other forms of mental healing often work such admirable results when applied to chronic digestion troubles.

The difficulty lies in the fact that a man cannot always control his mental attitude simply by setting out to do so. He can say over to himself, "I will be optimistic," several hundred times a day and yet remain most sad. He needs specific things to do; he needs to get at his problem in a concrete way.

There are a few purely practical suggestions that ought to fit in at this juncture. I have known a great number of people who have found help in taking a glass of cold water both upon rising and upon retiring. The simplicity of this treatment is its only

If you have been paying very conscientious attention to your diet in the hope of knocking out the trouble that way - worry less and eat more. Stop thinking about it. Give your conscience a vacation. Your character will not suffer.

See to it that there is bulk in your food, something for your intestines really to get hold of and work on. Food which contains cellulose or other mechanically irritating substances is excellent. Bran biscuits at night are often useful in this way.

Exercise is a most important form of treatment. The reason is the same as in other cases; it is an attempt to get back some of those conditions under which the body developed its functions.

Many of the forms of exercise prescribed for the cure of constipation are more dramatic than practical - not because they would not help if followed, but because no one will follow them. To this class belongs the following: Lie flat on the back in bed and work the head of a sixteen pound iron ball along the course of the colon, the walls of the abdomen to be completely relaxed, the movement to be made slowly, and a cheerful temper to be preserved throughout. Theoretically excellent.

Far more practical is a ride upon a hard trotting horse. This is effective because the continuous jarring of the body helps along the work of the intestinal walls. The easier the horse, the less his therapeutic value.

Rapid walking is commonly one of the effective means. This gives the same jarring motion to the abdomen. If the speed is as great as possible, there is a slight twisting of the hips with each step which keeps the abdominal organs in constant motion. And since fast walking is a form of energetic exercise, calling into play large groups of muscles in rapid alternation, it greatly increases the movement of the diaphragm. We have already spoken of the important part played by the diaphragm in the work of the digestive tract.

Running, deep breathing, twisting and bending of the trunk, and the majority of general gymnasium exercises, are all among the normal remedies.

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