Med. Pl. enemas; in techn. use often enemata. [a. Gr. ἔνεμα, f. ἐνιέναι, f. ἐν in + ἐ- stem of ἱέναι to send.]
1. A liquid or gaseous substance (either medicinal or alimentary) introduced mechanically into the rectum; a clyster, an injection. Also attrib., as in enema-apparatus, -instrument, -pump, -syringe.
1681. trans. Willis’ Rem. Med. Wks., Voc., Enema, A clister.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Enema in medicine denotes a clyster.
1794–6. E. Darwin, Zoon. (1801), I. 32. A dram of it [laudanum] was used as an enema.
1800. Med. Jrnl., III. 230. I then exhibited a laxative and antispasmodic Enema.
1847. E. J. Seymour, Severe Dis., I. 9. I recommended him … the use of enemata.
1872. Cohen, Dis. Throat, 87. We can resort to nutritive enemas.
1879. T. Bryant, Pract. Surg., II. 3. The … india-rubber enema apparatus … may be employed.
1886. C. H. Fagge, Princ. & Pract. Med., II. 208. Enemata may be continued somewhat longer still.
2. Short for ‘enema-apparatus.’
Mod. One of ——’s patent enemas.
