Fecal incontinence and anal itch can be treated by administration, more particularly by local application to the anus, of an α adrenergic blocker, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, prostaglandin F2α, dopamine, morphine, β-blockers, and 5-Hydroxytryptamine. The patients who benefit most from the invention are those who have a normal or low maximum anal resting pressure and a structurally intact internal anal sphincter muscle, and patients who have had major bowel resection and reanastomosis.