Constipation,
an undue retention of the fæces or their imperfect evacuation. When the morbid affection is but slight it is of little moment. In most cases, however, there is headache, while if the disease be protracted and severe, colic, hæmorrhoids, cutaneous eruptions, hysteria, epilepsy, or even ileus or enteritis, the last two fatal diseases, may result.
Entry from Everybody's Cyclopedia, 1912.