322 INFECTIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT 



(with or without pronounced dilatation) putrefactive 

 microorganisms may gain a hold and initiate high up in 

 the digestive tract a process which normally begins 

 only in the region of the lower ileum. All measures that 

 act in the direction of stimulating the stomach to nor- 

 mal motility must favor the mechanical removal of the 

 bacteria concerned in putrefaction. But hygienic meas- 

 ures and drugs may not suffice to free the stomach from 

 putrefactive organisms. In such cases the practice of 

 lavage may be very helpful and may give quick relief 

 from some symptoms of intoxication, especially head- 

 ache. Even in persons in whom dilatation is not marked 

 the use of lavage before breakfast may be a very helpful 

 measure, and the selection of this time has the advantage 

 of not depriving the patient of undigested food. 



The Promotion of Prompt Digestion and Absorption in 

 the Small Intestine. Generally speaking it is safe to 

 say that all those measures which aid in securing prompt 

 digestion in and absorption from the small intestine will 

 operate to diminish intestinal putrefaction, since the 

 outcome of prompt absorption in the region of the small 

 intestine is equivalent to offering a diminished oppor- 

 tunity for the attack of putrefactive anaerobes located 

 in the ileum and large intestine. Probably the restora- 

 tion of normal gastric secretion and of pancreatic secre- 

 tion is the most important physiological agency in 

 securing rapid digestion and absorption of proteids 

 from the small intestine. An improvement in the 

 quantity of gastric juice secreted and in the quantity 

 of the hydrochloric acid which it contains usually goes 



