Laxatives, Colonics, and Things That Make You Go

Another aspect of the humoral theory of disease was black bile, a substance that was considered thick, dark, and associated with certain physical and mental conditions and believed to be located in or near the spleen. With symptoms such as constipation, treatments often focused on promoting bowel movements. The world has had a bizarre fascination with this bodily function for centuries.  

Our museum has various devices to deliver fluids into the rectum and metal devices to expand the rectum to make these so-called constipation toxins or excessive black bile come out. The practice of using enemas has been used throughout history. First as a treatment for balancing these four humors and then as a way of promoting a healthy gut. It should be mentioned that this is not good practice and that the normal gut flora, in fact, should be left alone. Food alone can foster a healthy gut microbiome. There is no scientific evidence to support the use of cleanses or fasting as a way of cleaning out the intestines, although this is still advocated on many internet sites and social media. 

The case before you has an entire shelf of various products that promote defecation. The sheer number and variety give you an idea of how important and popular this practice was. 

By examining a single item, such as the "Red Raven Splits" located at the rear of the second shelf, we gain insight into how this phenomenon of alleviating constipation was perceived within American society. The container holding the solution resembles a beer or soda bottle. However, it contained a liquid laxative that was promoted as a remedy for hangovers. The contents were primarily a solution of water with several dissolved salts. These particulates were sodium chloride, sodium sulphate and several other sodium salts. The bottle was heavily carbonated with carbon dioxide, adding a tangible fizzy effect.  This provided psychological benefits and a notable placebo effect for drinkers.  The recommended usage is to consume half a pint of its contents in the morning following heavy alcohol consumption, which may promote bowel regularity and contribute to an improved sense of well-being. 

This product was in wide use in the early 1900s and was exhibited at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.  By the early 1930s, it saw its popularity decrease because of the strong condemnation of enemas and laxatives by physicians. It also experienced regulation by the Food and Drug Administration which insisted upon scientific benefit for treatments. Of course, the real problem for the Red Raven Corporation was the sagging sales of products like these as the public’s scientific education increased. Following this decline, the company pivoted to producing soft drinks like ginger ale and sasparilla.