In the course of the irritable 12 months, some 213 new patients were seen at the out-patient department of the Gastroenterological Unit of this hospital. Of these, 36 (16.9%) were considered to be suffering from bowel syndrome. The condition was suggested by a typical history of symptoms, essentially negative results of comprehensive laboratory and radiological investigations. A group of 20 was studied through the measurement of activity and pressure changes in the lumen of the distal colon using a water-filled polythene manometric system. The distribution of the abdominal pain is presented and the incidence of emotional factors is given. The essential nature of the follow-up of these cases for continuing confirmation of the diagnosis, and the management of the patient are discussed.