Hard stools are a common occurrence. They occur when stools pass through the colon too slowly, allowing the colon time to absorb too much water from the stool. The stools then become hard and dry.
Black specks in stool may be due to undigested food, such as blueberries. However, they can also be a sign of internal bleeding or liver problems. In newborns, black stool may be meconium. Daily ...