Toxoplasmosis in Relation to Mental Deficiency

Abstract

M feel that it is important to examine the stomach and duodenum carefully when clinical features such as we have described are encountered, since it may well be that these cases are less rare than a reading of the literature would suggest, and that this aspect of Crohn's disease has not received adequate attention.The x-ray changes we have described are in our opinion characteristic.Further comment on the radiological find- ings may be made as follows: First, had the changes in Case 1 been confined to the stomach they might have been -attributed to cancer of the diffusely infiltrating type (linitis plastica), but associated involvement of the duodenum and consideration of the age of the patient were of value in leading to a correct diagnosis.Secondly, the follow-up x-ray films of this case are also of interest in showing that the changes in the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum are not necessarily of a permanent nature, and that with the passage of time a return to a normal mucosal pattern is possible.It should also be noted that both these patients became very ill on account of inability to assimilate adequate quanti- ties of food.Case 2, which we have been able to observe in hospital, showed an upset in the protein content of the blood, and we feel,it is important to stress the need for adequate dietetic care.Both these patients became anaemic, both appeared at one time to be going to die.A high- protein diet, as well as the prescribing of iron and vitamins, appears to us to be of importance in the handling of these cases. SummaryTwo cases of Crohn's disease involving the stomach and duodenum are reported; one of them was con- firmed by biopsy of the gastric muicosa.The radiological changes are described in detail.We would like to thank Dr. H.