The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-03
LITTLE LESSONS IN PHYSIOLOGY
3. Intestinal Absorption


 Metchnikoff, whose theory has been forgotten, regarded the colon or large bowel as the source of many ills and of premature old age. Ar buthnot Lane held that the colon is a cesspool and advocated and prac- tcied surgical removal of the colon or part of it in many cases.
 Putrefaction is a normal process in the large intestine, not morbid or disease state as too many wise acres imagine. Among the byprod- ucts of putrefaction decomposition of nitrogenous material (meat, egg, milk, glutin, etc) in the colon are histamine, phenol, cresol, indole, skatole-and some of these injected into animals, have powerful effects. From this observation the old timers inferred that in cases of constipa- tion enough of the putrefaction by products might be absorbed into the blood to cause kind of poisoning, to which they gave the name of "autointoXication". Today various near doctors and queer-doctors af- feet a more imposing name for it, "toxicosis" or "autotoXicosis," which seems to please their wisacre custo- merS.
 Much larger amounts of these presumably poisonous or toxic prod ucts of putrefaction that are ever present in the colon may be given by mouth or by injection without pro- ducing any definite symptoms; or if any symptoms occur after injection of large doses, the symptoms are not those commonly associated with constipation. Still larger amounts of the same substances introduced into the colon have no effect at all.
 Putrefaction in the colon is linn tied or held in check by the pres ence of carbohydrate material or any sugar, which inhibits or pre- vents the action of colon bacilli upon the nitrogenous material. It is further limited by the formation of acids by the fermentation of car- bohydrate or sugar, the acids thus formed( tactic acid, for instance, the same acid as in sour milk or butter milk or any of the fermented milk beverageS), tend to neutralize or lower the alkalinity of the bowel contents and the bacteria of putre- faction do not thrive unless the re- action is alkaline.
 Water is the only substance that is absorbed from the large intestine in the normal individual.
 The anatomical construction of the wall of the large intestine is an effective barrier against absorption of the products of putrefaction. If traces of these undesirable sub stances do get into the blood, all of which flows directly to the liver be- fore it enters the general circula- tion, the liver destroys them or rem derS them innocuous. The detoX- icating action of the liver is one of the important general functions of that organ.
 There is no good evidence that the habit of eating meat, milk, cheese, eggs or vegetables having relatively large proportions of pro- tein (nitrogenous materiaD such as beans. peas, wheat, produces or fa- vors the production of any poison" or toxic" substance which may &C., count for administration" or fore damage to the kidneys or for high blood pressure.
 Don't take my word for it. Con- suit any authoritative textbook on physiology.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Cut-Rate Medicine
 One hospital here (the middle wesD offers prenatal care, ten days in hospital, all medicine and all ne- ceSsary nursing and medical attend ance in confinement, for a fiat rate of $S5. (Mr. and Mrs. J. B.
 Answer-You'll be safer if you give that hospital" wide berth and en- gage your own doctor. Send ten cents coin and stamped envelope