THE EFFECTS OF DISTENTION OF THE INTESTINE 

 UPON THE SHAPE OF VILLI AND GLANDS 



FRANKLIN PARADISE JOHNSON 



From the Harvard Medical School, Boston 



ELEVEN FIGURES 



While studying the development of the large intestine in the 

 human embryo, I observed a striking difference between the 

 forms of the mucosa of two transverse colons, one of which was 

 filled with meconium, whereas the other was empty. Briefly 

 stated, the distended piece of intestine in comparison with the 

 non-distended, possessed a thinner mucosa, thinner outer coats, 

 shorter and broader villi, and shorter and broader glands. The 

 differences were so marked that it seemed probable from the 

 beginning that they must have been caused by the distention 

 of the intestine. The question arose, thereupon, since a dis- 

 tention of the embryonic intestine may bring about such results, 

 cannot similar changes be produced in the intestine of the 

 adult? 



Accordingly, the experiment of distending a portion of the 

 small intestine under pressure and hardening in that condition 

 was attempted. The guinea-pig, being the animal most easily 

 obtained, was fortunately used for the purpose. A portion 

 of the small intestine, 5 to 7 cm. in length, was tied off, and dis- 

 tended through a small canula with normal salt solution. The 

 pressure obtained from a colunni of water 150 cm. high was 

 used. The distended piece of intestine was then placed under 

 pressure in Zenker's fluid for about one hour, then in alcohol 

 under pressure for several hours. Being hardened in a dis- 

 tended state, the pressure was then removed and the piece of 

 tissue imbedded in paraffin and sectioned. For comparison 



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THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, VOr.. 14, NO. 2 



