Ralph's bowels had let go.

It is in most instances traceable to exposure to cold or damp, to overuse of the limbs in walking, &c. Any source of pressure upon the nerve within the pelvis, such as may be produced by a tumour or even by constipation of the bowels, may excite an attack of sciatica.

bowels of the earth to see the interior of a coal mine.

Where the stomach and bowels are irritable, all food likely to cause mechanical irritation should be avoided, such as skins, bones, fibres and seeds.

It is interesting to remember how much of this food for fire is still concealed in the bowels of the earth.