In view of the fact that the medical phase of certain gastrointestinal lesions wherein adhesions and partial obstruction or traction play a prominent part are so erratic symptomatically, these three cases are offered with the hope that some light may be thrown on the diagnosis and other pertinent factors:
Case 1.—History.
—Miss X., aged 43, gave no history of any illness that in any causative way was associated with eighteen years of intermittent gastrointestinal disturbances. The latter began with severe acute epigastric pain, no vomiting or nausea, but constant gaseous distension. Constipation was present both before and during these attacks, and in the course of ten days the skin would assume a dark, dirty yellowish hue, which phase of the illness would not disappear until free and daily purgation was produced. Opiates had but little subduing effect on the pains. After two or three weeks, complete relief would follow