Hormonal (peristaltic hormon) / according to Dr Zuelzer.

  • Zuelzer, G. (Georg), 1870-1949.
Date:
[between 1900 and 1999?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Hormonal (peristaltic hormon) / according to Dr Zuelzer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    which appears more likely, is based on the idea that the stimulus to peristalsis is effected by the hormon by way of the nerves, that the hormon, for example, exerts a specific stimulus on the abdominal ganglia. Now in the case of chronic constipation the agent con¬ ducting the stimulus has become disturbed, in con¬ sequence, perhaps, of (auto) toxic injuries to the nervous organs, or for the reason that for a time the patient did not react on the normal stimuli. If now, bv means of an inundation with artificially introduced ‘ ‘ peristaltic hormon ’’ a great stimulus is excreted on the nerve cells, they are again rendered capable of reacting in the old way on the normal stimuli.* Experiments on animals having shown that intra¬ venous injection of hormon is followed by immediate and sustained peristaltic movement of the' intestine, it seemed likely that in man with acute paralysis of the intestine the use of this hormon would prove effective. In the first place there came into consideration post¬ operative paralysis of the intestine which hitherto defied almost any remedy, whether medicamental or mechanical. In Dr. Adler’s ward at the Israelite Hospital I had the opportunity of observing the action of hormon in a case of post-operative paralysis. The patient, K., male, eighteen years of age, had been operated on Dec. 23rd, for gangrenous-purulent perityphlitis. On Dec. 27th, owing to symptoms of severe peritonitis, the peritoneal cavity was re-opened, and, after the discharge of copious pus, washed out with common salt, and drained. About fourteen days later the secretion had a feculent odour in consequence of the breaking through of a loop of small intestine. As the case went on, the abdomen became distended * In proof of the fact that the curative results are not due to suggestive influence, I will quote the following passage from a letter received from Professor Alt, Uchtspringe :—“ Of ten patients (most of them epileptics and for a long period sufferers from persistent constipation) who at the Landes-Heil und Pflege Anstalt Uchtspringe had been treated by Dr. Orland with in¬ tramuscular injections of ‘ peristaltic hormon,’ four now have had regular evacuation for several weeks.”