128 STUDIES IN CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY 



peptonized for twenty minutes, were given for a 

 few days first, and then the aminoacid preparations 

 used instead. In each of five patients the nitrogen 

 output in the urine was greatly increased by the 

 use of aminoacids in the nutrients. Figures of two 

 such cases are given in the Appendix, 



We conclude, therefore, that aminoacids can be 

 absorbed, and that we may hope to give nourishment 

 to patients by rectal injections of milk pancreatized 

 for twenty-four hours, although ordinary peptonized 

 milk is a failure. 



It is quite certain that dextrose can be absorbed 

 from the rectum, because it will cure acidosis when 

 given in this way, and also it will raise the respiratory 

 quotient by increasing the amount of COo expired. 

 Boyd and Robertson showed that practically no 

 sugar can be recovered from the rectal washings of 

 a patient given peptone and sugar enemata, although 

 peptone is always returned. Lactose appears not 

 to be absorbed ; it fails to control acidosis. 



It is very difficult to obtain evidence as to whether 

 fats are absorbed. In a patient who had a fistula 

 of the thoracic duct, only from 37 to 5*5 per cent 

 of the fat given per rectum was recovered from the 

 fistula. 



In another patient the thoracic duct was blocked 

 and a Ijonphatic vessel had ruptured into the urinary 

 passages, so that most of the fat absorbed by the 

 lacteals escaped into the urine, which became milky 

 after a fatty meal (chyluria). There was no chyluria 

 when all fats were stopped by mouth and nutrient 

 enemata containing milk administered. 



