THERAPEUTIC CONSIDERATIONS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION

Abstract

PHYSIOLOGICOPATHOLOGIC CONSIDERATIONS The work of Hartwell and Hoguet¹ establishing the efficacy of subcutaneous administration of saline solution in definitely prolonging the lives of dogs with high intestinal obstruction lent considerable impetus to the experimental investigation of obstruction of the bowel. Unfortunately, a like interest in the field has not been generally manifest among clinicians, with the unhappy effect that results in the management of acute intestinal obstruction have not kept astride with increases in knowledge concerning the subject. The experimental work of the decade following the observation of Hartwell and his associates dealt largely with the nature of the toxin in high intestinal obstruction and a study of the chemical alterations in the blood attending obstruction of the bowel. The numerous experimental studies of Haden and Orr contributed materially to a better understanding of the chemical changes attending obstruction of the upper part of the intestine. Investigations concerning the