Intus-susception

Intus-susception, or INVAGINATION, is the term applied to the partial displacement of the bowel in which one portion of it passes into the portion immediately adjacent to it, just as one part of the finger of a glove is sometimes pulled into an adjacent part in the act of withdrawing the hand. In this case the contained portion of intestine is liable to be nipped and strangulated by the portion which contains it, and all the danger of Hernia (q.v.) results, with far less chance of successful interference on the part of the surgeon or physician. It is one of the most frequent and fatal causes of obstruction of the bowels in children, but less common in adults. The extent of the intus-susception may vary from a few lines to a foot or more. Even when inflammation is set up, the affection, although in the highest degree perilous, is not of necessity fatal. The invaginated portion mortifies and sloughs, while adhesion is established between the peritoneal surfaces of the upper and lower portions at their place of junction, so that the continuity of the tube is preserved, although a large portion may be destroyed. If the patient is strong enough to bear the shock of the inflammation, gangrene, sloughing, &c., a complete recovery may ensue, though such a termination is rare. In the early stage the normal condition may often be restored by large enemata of air or water. Of late some success has attended operation where simple measures have failed. For Volvulus, see COLIC.