Sphincter

There is not a muscle or structure in the body

that has a more keenly developed sense of alertness

and ability to accommodate itself to varying situations.

It is like the goalie in hockey...always alert.

They say man has succeeded

where the animals fail

because of the clever use of his hands yet,

when compared to the hands,

the sphincter ani is far superior.

If you place into your cupped hands

a mixture of fluid, solid, and gas

and then, through an opening at the bottom,

try to let only the gas escape,

you will fail.

Yet the sphincter ani can do it.

The sphincter apparently

can differentiate between solid, fluid, and gas.

It apparently

can tell whether its owner is alone or with someone,

whether standing up or sitting down,

whether its owner has his pants on or off.

No other muscle in the body

is such a protector of the dignity of man,

yet so ready to come to his relief.

A muscle like this is worth protecting.

Excerpt from the introduction of a report on hemorrhoidectomy written by WC Bornemeier and published in Am J of Proc, Feb, 1960.)