Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-26
By J. H. KELLOGG. N. d., LL. D.
INTESTINAL catarrh--whlch the read

INTESTINAL catarrh--which the read
L er may have seen referred TO as ZEN
| teritis," is common disease.
II Is characterized by an Inflammation
that usually affects the small intestine.
any of the three portions Of which may
be affected. These three parts are
known respectively as the "duodenum.
the "ileum" and the "iejunum," and
they may be affected separately or to-
gether Sometimes the inflammation
affects the rcctum only, and then It is
known as "proCtitis." when the large
intestine alone is affected, the malady
is called "colitis''--a condition that We
shall concern ourselves with in the
present article.
Colitis is a form Of enteritis. or in
testinal catarrh. The symptoms are
numerous. Usually there is great loose
ness Of the bowels. with pain In the
abdomen, purging. nausea, vomiting
coated tongue and flatulenCe. The pa
ticnt belches, has a foul breath and
usually a severe headache Intermittent
Chiils and fevers are sometimes expert
enced.
The disease is caused chiefly by irri-
tatiOn from indigestible food-such as
unripe fruit, stale vegetables. food IN It
has begun TO undergo decomposition,
p'lNpllH dliu lllAAhliiE lltultlutSs AlllyHS
the causes also may be mentioned the
irritation produced by retained fcCcs, as
in chronic constipation Mechanical in
jurieS to the bOwels-from blows or
straininE, for iustance--may also pro-
duce intestinal Catlrrh. We have good
reason, too, for believing also that CO.
Tits is produced by taking cold" like
catarrh of the air passages.
Among other causes may he mentioned
congestion of the liver. diseases Of the
heart and kidneys and consumption.
Chronic constipation Is, however. the
most common cause. When the intes-
tine becomes overloaded especially
when its contents are very long retained
the mucous membrane becomes dis
eased by long continued contact with
putrefactive bacteria and the poisons
that they produce. The inflammation
that results may extend through the
wall Of the intestine and cause adhesion
Of the bowel TO the abdominal wall or to
some other portion OF the intestine.
Kinks" and other distractions arc
thus formed Sometimes false mem
branos are developed and the result is
a most obstinate kind Of constipation,
In quite large proportion of cases of
chronic constipation that do not yield
to regulation Of diet and other simple
lllN'Allo ~ thltf dulltSlollt Kinks or lOODS
Of the intestines are found.
When the infection extends into the
appendix, appendicitis results. This is
serious condition and may give rise
to peritonitls and death within n few
days. When the appendix is infected
there Is severe pain low down in the
right side, often with nausea and vomlt-
ing In such cases a skilled surgeon
should bq called in at once.
without doubt, the most frequent
ciuse of colitis and appendicitis is the
practice Of flesh-eating. These diseases
are virtually unknown I'm persoEs who
are flesh abstaiuers. The great French
scientist, Champonniere, once uuinted
out the interesting fact that appendicitis
is unknown among the inmates Of in
sane asylums. prisons and catholic in
StltutionS in France in which meat is not
used. Another great Frenchman, Combc
has called attention to the fact that
colitis is unknown among the peasantry
Of Switzerland. while it is common
among the people who live in towns
who eat meat.
As in the treatment Of most digestive
troubles, regulation Of diet is Of first
Importance, The patient must lrefuly
avoid tea. coffee. condiments or alcoholic
beverages Of any kind. Vegetables and
cheese should also be eliminated from
the dietary.
Milk is an excellent food for those
suffering from colitis if the milk is
fresh and clean and il the patient does
rot drink It too rapidly, but Is careful
to sip il slowly Egg yolks may be
eaten if in not too large quantities.
Cereal foods, such as oatmeal. when well
prepared and carefully mastic lted, are
extremely beneficial to those suffering
from this malady and also toasted cereal
fakes. Cereal grucls are especially
recommended