ETIOLOGY OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Abstract

In an endeavor to investigate the cause of ulcerative colitis, colonic explants were chosen as the most suitable preparation for study of the reactions of the colon under direct vision. The method of preparing such explants was first described by Drury, Florey and Florey.¹ These investigators included no detailed account of the care given the explants except to say that dressings were applied. They reported that the surface of the explants was redder than that of the normal colon because of contact with the air and with the dressings. Raiford and Eberhard² used a similar preparation, but without protective dressings³ and reported changes in the surface structures of the explants resembling those due to chronic inflammation. It is our purpose in the present paper to show that with careful attention the explant can be maintained indefinitely in what appears to be a normal condition so far as