THE ROLE OF THE BACILLUS WELCHII IN ACUTE INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION

Abstract

Technique for producing an intestinal obstruction in a cat by closing a loop of intestine and ligating its veins is described. Severe toxemia quickly followed, B. welchii was found in large numbers in the obstructed loop, but the evidence indicated that it was not responsible for the toxemia, as administration of B. welchii antitoxin did not prolong the life of the animal. Most of the B. welchii were found avirulent. It is concluded that B. welchii does not play an important role in production of the fulminating toxemia observed, and that use of B. welchii antitoxin in human cases of intestinal obstruction associated with toxemia is still in the experimental stage.