Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-02-04
Coli+is Case
Treatment
Discussed
Term as Used Today.
Means Many His
By LOGAN CLENDENING, VI. ID

~ LOGAN CLENDENING, vi. ID.
TlIE term COLTS. so commonly
used today. means nearly
anything to the average person
from a feeling of discomfort in
the abdomen to serious irreg-
ularity Of the intestines.
Irritable colon" (the colon is
The large intestine) is probably
a better term.
Mucous colitiS has much
narrower meaning and applies
TO a special group OF cases OF
unstable colon and periodic at
tacks of mucous diarrhcea. al
ternating with constipation.
There is always a sense Of
fullnesS or tightnesS,- if not ac-
tually cramping in the abdomen.
Tension headache is common.
1t is a fairly common disease,
certainly a troublesome disease
hardly a mail comes TO me
without three or four letters
asking for advice on this subject.
The condition is often mis-
treated. Ii is probably rcSpOn-
SiblC for tho removal of more
undiSeascd appendices than any
other one cause the cramps are
over the appendix region in rs
per cent Of cases.
1t may result in chronic in
ValidiSm.
Most of the sufferers are vic
Tins of the cathartic habit. 1t
accompanies many of the states
of emotional tension encountered
in daily life.
EMOTIONAL tcnsion-nervous
IL tenSion-that is the first
impression the patient with
mucous colitiS gives.
This has suggested TO two
Boston physicians study OF
the physiological and emotional
reaction of their patients.
1t is disease of early adult
life the average age of onset
is % years. Examining the
patient. the colon often can be
felt through the abdominal walls
as tender. rubber-like tube.
The inside of the bowel shows
great engagement with dilated
blood vessels and the mucous
membrane covered with glairy
mucous.
The X-ray examination shows
a small, tense colon.
When seen with an electric
lighted tube. the mucous mem
branc is angry and red, but with
no liberation.
All this shows a reaction OF
the vegctativc nervous system.
Though il was once regarded
as an infection. a causativc or
ganiSm never has been found.
Every indication points to the
idea that the trouble is not in
The bowel. but is a general state
Of the body-a state Of tension
of the nervous system.
4 CAREFUL psychological
"A study showed that in half
tho patients. the attacks were
always prccipitated by some
emotional upset The breaking
off of an engagement in ono
case. disappointment in a college
career in another.
Nearly always these develop
on the basis Of an unstable
nervous system.
Anxiety states. either with
real or fancicd bases. were char
aCteTiStic Of quarter Of the
patients; a morbid interest
hypochondriaSiS - affected an
other fourth.
II is evident that treatment
directed at the colon alone is not
going 20 be successful.
Everything should be done 10
relieve irritation of the colon
The cathartic habit should be
broken up no matter how much
tho patient thinks tho tension
felt could be- relieved by a
cathartic, it always makes II
worse.
4 SMOOTH diet such as the
~ following is helpful.
Breakfast. Orange sections.
corn flakes. poached egg. crisp
bacon. crabapplc Jelly toast but
ter cream, weak tea or coffee.
Dinner Cream of potato soup.
broilcd halibut steak. boiled po-
tatoeS, spinach. icllo whipped
cream, bread. butter. milk, weak
tea.
Supper Cream Of mushroom
soup, grilled lamb chop and