A continence device (10) in the form of a cube or block (12) of resilient foam material capable of being collapsed into a small volume condition and encapsulated in a capsule (18) of gelatin or the like and which includes a string or cord (14) passing through the material and connected with a traction bead (16) engaged with a distal surface of the block or cube of foam material. The continence device provides for voluntary trapping or blockage of gastrointestinal effluent when voluntary and natural control is lacking such as when a person has had a colostomy, ileostomy, or in other situations involving fecal incontinence. An introducer (20) is provided for inserting the capsule, the reduced volume of soft foam material therein and the line or cord and traction bead into a body orifice such as a stomal orifice (28), anus (40) or the like. The introducer is in the form of a tubular member, such as a straw which is passed over the cord or string and has one end engaged with the capsule and is provided with a flexible section (22) to facilitate insertion of the device into the desired body orifice with the gelatin capsule then being dissolved in the presence of body warmth and moisture to enable the compressed soft foam material to expand to a predetermined size and shape for blockage and temporary retention of gastrointestinal content in the body orifice.