Enema administered with the intent of providing nutrition when normal eating is not possible
A nutrient enema, also known as feeding per rectum, rectal alimentation, or rectal feeding, is an
enema administered to provide
nutrition in cases where normal
eating is not possible. This treatment is ancient, dating back at least to the second century AD when documented by
Galen,[1] and commonly used in the Middle Ages,[2] remaining a common technique in 19th century.[3] In 1941, the
U.S.' military manual for hospital diets prescribed use of nutrient enemas.[4] In modern medicine, nutrient enemas have been superseded by
tube feeding and
parenteral nutrition (intravenous feeding).[citation needed]
A variety of different mixes have been used for nutrient enemas throughout history. A paper published in Nature in 1926 stated that because the
rectum and lower
digestive tract lack
digestive enzymes, it is likely that only the end-products of normal digestion such as
sugars,
amino acids,
salt and
alcohol, will be absorbed.[5]
This treatment was given to U.S. President
James A. Garfield after his shooting in 1881.[6]
When the
United States SenateIntelligence Committee published an
unclassified summary of its 6,000 page classified report on the
CIA's use of
torture, its previously unknown practices of brutally forced nutrient enemas on detainees who attempted hunger strikes[7] and of "rectal rehydration" for punishment and torture became apparent.[8][9]
^Bliss, D. W. "Feeding Per Rectum: As Illustrated in the Case of the Late President Garfield and Others". Washington: N.p., n.d. Rpt. from the Medical Record, July 15, 1882.