1036 ABSORPTION 



irregularities. In most instances, these symptoms are attributable to 

 an unusual inactivity on the part of the large intestine or to the 

 ingestion of smoked and canned meat and other foods. It is said 

 that these toxins are derived from processes instigated by the Bacillus 

 botulinus, an anaerobe which is easily destroyed by the cooking of the 

 food. 



The Formation of the Feces. — Even at the height of digestion the 

 small intestine is not distended with food, but contains merely froth 

 and semi-solid masses of mucous material which are never large enough 

 to separate its walls very widely. Hence, the name of jejunum or 

 ''empty gut." This peculiar condition finds its origin in the periodic 

 entrance of chyme and its relatively rapid distribution through a large 

 stretch of intestine. At the ileocecal valve a certain quantity of its 

 water has already been abstracted from this material, although enough 

 of it is left behind to give to the contents of the cecum the consistency 

 of a thick broth. The regular and antiperistaltic movements of this 

 segment, together with those of the ascending colon, then allow sufi&- 

 cient time for most of this water to be absorbed, so that the transverse 

 colon receives this material in a more compact and dry form. Ob- 

 viously, any retardation of the feces must tend to increase this 

 absorption of water, permitting them to become more firmly lodged 

 in the haustral spaces, whence they are dislodged only with difficulty. 

 In extreme cases of constipation even the descending colon may be- 

 come blocked with these impacted masses, which then set up disturb- 

 ing reflexes by virtue of their irritating action upon the intestinal 

 mucosa and neighboring abdominal organs. 



While it is not my intention to enter into a lengthy discussion of 

 the causes and effects of intestinal stasis and constipation, it might be 

 mentioned that the ingestion of food containing a larger proportion 

 of vegetables may obviate this difficulty, because it tends to shorten 

 the time consumed in the passage of the food through the intestine. 

 This result it accomplishes first by virtue of its greater content in 

 water, and secondly, by means of its stimulating influence upon peri- 

 stalsis. Consequently, the indigestible cellulose of the food is not with- 

 out value, because it increases the bulk of the feces and sets up certain 

 mechanical reactions, which lead to a quicker evacuation of the large 

 intestine. This point is more fully illustrated by the fact that an 

 ordinary mixed diet gives rise to a daily output of feces consisting of 

 about 100 grm. of water and 35 grm. of solids, whereas a vegetable 

 diet yields 260 grm. of water and 75 grm. of solids. 



