Abstract: A bowel control probe apparatus and method for sensing and preventing incontinent episodes. The probe comprises a catheter with an infrared (I.R.) sensor tip for sensing fecal mass in the rectum and a cuff which is inflated with air to prevent passage of the fecal mass. The method of sensing and preventing incontinent episodes includes the steps of: inserting the probe in the rectum, inflating the cuff, transmitting I.R. light into the rectum, monitoring the reflectance of I.R. light and generating an alarm signal when a predetermined amount of reflected I.R. light is measured.