Piles

Piles (Hemorrhoids) are tumours formed by the dilatation of the veins or by thickening of the folds of skin or mucous membrane in the neighbourhood of the anus. Piles are of two varieties, external and internal, the latter being situated within, and the former outside, the sphincter muscle. In the case of internal piles one of the most characteristic symptoms is bleeding. Piles are caused by obstruction to the return of blood through the veins of the lower bowel, one of the most important predisposing causes being habitual constipation.