Is cascara a harmless laxative?

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Cascara

 Q. Is cascara a harmless laxative?

A. One of the most unfortunate results of chronic constipation is its by-product of drug habits. There are many substances, of course, course, that bring about action of the bowels that bring about action of the bowels with much promptitude, and with such evident relief that the sufferer resorts to the same remedy on the next occasion, without stopping to inquire whether the drug might not be as dangerous as the disease. The chances are he does not stop to consider the matter one way or another, but falls an easy victim to the habit of drug taking.

 One of the most vicious of these vile substances is cascara, which contains irritating poisons, among them a substance known as an­ thracin,  which is extremely poisonous, and which may, if used for some time, produce colitis.

At one time the writer discussed this matter of constipation and the drug habit with an eminent European physician, and the dis­tinguished scientist said: "There is nothing so bad as the chronic use of drugs." And when asked about his method of treatment in cases of bad constipation he said: "I regulate the diet." Noth­ing is no bad as the chronic use of drugs.

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