The muscles at some point have simply lost their _strength_-- lost
their _elasticity_-- like a piece of old rubber which has lost its
"_stretch_."
[Sidenote: The Cause Of The Weakness]
Sometimes this weakening is due to general poor health; sometimes to
lack of exercise; and sometimes the weakness is inherited.
Now the bowels are always _pushing_ or _pressing_ more or less against
the abdominal wall-- any one, whether ruptured or not, can plainly
_feel_ that pressure when coughing or sneezing; while lifting or other
exertion greatly _increases_ the pressure or strain.
When in a healthy or sound condition, the abdominal wall is _elastic_;
and when the bowels push against it, the muscles which form it simply
_stretch_ until the strain on them is over.
Just as when you pull at your cheek, the flesh falls back in position
the instant you let go.
[Sidenote: Why The Muscles Give Way Under Strain]
But if the muscles of the abdomen are in a _weak_ condition, they can't
_stand_ much strain-- can no longer _stretch_-- any quick movement is
often enough to cause them to spread apart, forming an opening through
which a part of the bowels _pushes out_ or _protrudes._
Now there is only one way to _overcome_ that weakened condition; only
one way to get rid of rupture without undergoing the dangers of
operation.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25