Several methods have been used to cleanse the large bowel prior to roentgen examination and rectoscopy for more than ten years. A method with administration of a salt solution (SALAX) in combination with different oral laxatives (Cascara sagrada, Dantron, Bisacodyl) without cleansing enemas is described. Hospitalized patients should have an individual preparation while ambulatory patients are almost completely cleansed if they carefully follow the given instructions.