Faecal fermentation as a cause of disease : together with the general rules of treatment to be observed / by C.H.F. Routh.

  • Routh, C. H. F. (Charles Henry Felix), 1822-1909.
Date:
1856
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Faecal fermentation as a cause of disease : together with the general rules of treatment to be observed / by C.H.F. Routh. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    when not in a concentrated state, i.e., if diluted with much water, and of specific gravity 1010‘15 instead of 1027, as is evidenced by the rapid putrefaction of sewage matters when admixed with sea water. Indeed, the foul odours of drains at low water in summer, especially if the pipes conveying sewage are not carried out far at sea, are proverbial. I have said that changes of a fermenting character occur in the body normally. Fermentation is, however, in amount small in the small intestines as compared with what it is in the large, and the reason is obvious; because the fermenta- tion begun in the small intestines occurs with much greater rapidity in the latter, and is unimpeded by the presence of free acid.” (Lehmann, op, cit., ii, 130.) Marcet found that the constant reaction of faeces was alkaline. {Op, cit.) The experiments of Magendie, etc., confirm the statements made above. Magendie and Chevreuil found the following proportions in the intestines of executed persons:— No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. In the Small Intestine. Carbonic acid. Nitrogen. 24*39 .. 20*08 40- .. 8*85 25- .. 66*6 Hydrogen. . 55*53 . 51-15 . 8*4 Chevillot found 2 to 3 per cent, of oxygen in the air discharged from the small intestines by aged persons. The hydrogen in these cases is generated by the amylaceous matters undergoing the butyric acid fermentation. In the Large Intestine, Carbonic Nitrogen. Carburetted Hydro- acid. hydrogen. gen. Magendie and Chevreuil.... 43*5 to 70. .18*40 to 51*03.. 5*47 to 11*6.. Chevillot (aged persons, 2 or 3 per ct. oxygen) 23*1 to 93. .95*2 to 90 ..28- Marchand, No.l. 36*5 .29- ..22- ..13*5 Marchand,No.2. (1 sulphuretted hydrogen.).... 44*4 .14- ..15* ..15*8 Occasionally the amount of fermentation going on is ex- cessive, as evidenced by the presence of copious frothy stools, and by the generation of unusual products. The changes here induced are thus explained by my esteemed