purgazione

Purgazione is a term used in Italian and in English to denote an act of cleansing or purification. The word arises from Latin purgatio, from purgare "to purge." In English, purgation or purge may refer to several distinct practices or concepts across medicine, politics, and religion.

In medicine, purgation refers to inducing evacuation of the bowels or body contents. This is achieved with laxatives, saline purgatives, or enemas, and historically was part of humoral theory. In modern medical practice, purgation is less a general remedy and more a preparatory step before some procedures (bowel prep) or in certain diagnostic or treatment contexts. Potential risks include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and mucosal injury.

In political and social contexts, purgation denotes a process of cleansing an institution or state by removing people deemed undesirable or disloyal, often by force or coercion. Political purges have occurred in many countries and periods and can involve arrests, dismissals, exiles, or executions, sometimes accompanied by propaganda or show trials. The term carries strong negative connotations and implies abuses of power.

In religious or spiritual contexts, purgation can refer to the purification of the soul. In Catholic theology, purgatory is described as a state or process of purification after death before entering heaven; in liturgical or penitential practice, acts of purification can be described as purgative.