Originally published June 18, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified June 19, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Russian town unveils monument to enemas

The world's first monument unusually dedicated to enema treatments has been unveiled at a health center in the southern Russian town of Zheleznovodsk.

By McClatchy Newspapers

STAVROPOL, Russia — The world's first monument unusually dedicated to enema treatments has been unveiled at a health center in the southern Russian town of Zheleznovodsk.

"As gastroenterology is the main treatment area at the Zheleznovodsk spa center, it was decided to create such a unique monument, which is both funny and vital," said Alexander Kharchenko, the director of the center.

The 1.5 meter-high bronze sculpture, weighing 350 kilograms (771.6 pounds), portrays "three angel-like children carrying above their heads a big pear-like enema," the center director said.

The initiative to erect the sculpture was proposed by the center's administration, where hundreds of similar procedures are carried out every day. An enema is primarily a medical procedure involving the injection of fluid into the rectum to clear out a patient's bowel.

The monument is a symbol of most health centers around the Caucasus Mineral Waters, a renowned Russian spa resort, providing enemas as part of medical treatment for stomach problems, Kharchenko said.

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