Radiographic Studies showing the Induction of a Segmentation Pattern in the Small Intestine in Normal Human Subjects

Abstract

1. Experimental radiographic investigations are described in which segmentation of the barium suspension in the small intestine (so-called “deficiency pattern”) was induced in normal human subjects. 2. The segmentation pattern was induced by the administration of hypertonic solution of sodium bicarbonate, glucose or sodium chloride, or the addition of hydrolysed fat, sprue fæcal fats, or certain short chain fatty acids to the barium suspension. 3. The barium sulphate suspension was not flocculated by hypertonic solution, or by lactic or acetic acid. Long chain fatty acids caused flocculation of the barium in an acid medium, but the floccules tended to be small. Mucus-containing gastric or duodenal juice caused immediate and complete flocculation of the barium suspension. The size of the floccules was dependent upon the proportion of mucous secretion to barium sulphate. 4. The significance of these experimental findings and their relationship to the so-called “deficiency pattern” is discussed.