Nature of Toxemia of Intestinal Obstruction. 17 



solutions. Tonus was depressed in practically all cases. Al- 

 though the amplitude of the rhythmic contractions showed con- 

 siderable augmentation with a solution of N/200, this was often 

 preceded by a preliminary decrease. Total inhibition of activity 

 was first observed with solutions of N/50. 



13 (1191) 



The nature of the toxemia of intestinal obstruction. 

 Preliminary report. 



By L. R. Dragstedt, J. J. Moorhead and F. W. Burcky 



(by invitation). 



[From the Hull Physiological Laboratory of the University of Chicago.] 



Confirming the results of previous investigators we found that 

 dogs with an isolated closed loop of duodenum or jejunum die in 

 48-96 hours, in most cases with perforation of the isolated loop 

 and general peritonitis. But there is usually no excessive vomiting 

 and hence no fatal dehydration of the body tissues. 



In twenty-five dogs a segment of the jejunum was isolated, 

 washed with ether and sterile water, or sterile salt solution, and 

 both ends closed. Sixteen of the dogs died in 4-6 days, all of 

 them showing perforation of the loop and general peritonitis. 

 The other nine dogs lived indefinitely (some of them to date, 

 6 months) in good condition. Some of the dogs were examined 

 1-3 months after the operation. In every case, except one, the 

 loops were found closed, the mucosa normal, some thick fluid in 

 the lumen of the loop containing B. coli and a small coccus. In 

 one dog in good condition examined seven weeks after the operation 

 the loop was found perforated, but there was no peritonitis and 

 the fluid contents of the loop was sterile. 



When the isolated and closed loops of the jejunum is sterile 

 complete occulusion of the blood vessels to the isolated loop has 

 no effect on the dog, but if the loop is not sterile, the occlusion of 

 the circulation in the loop causes death in 24-48 hours with the 

 usual symptoms of complete intestinal obstruction. 



In nine dogs a segment of the lower duodenum was isolated, 



