Geriatrics : the diseases of old age and their treatment, including physiological old age, home and institutional care, and medico-legal relations . istending that portion of the intestinesand the rectum and the wasted muscular fibers cannot overcomethis distention. The colon consequently becomes dilated form-ing a pouch which may be 3 to 4 inches in diameter. There islessened peristalsis, diminished intestinal secretion and lessenedreflex irritability. As a result of these changes senile consti-pation is produced. Senile Constipation Etiology.—This is a symptom of senile degeneration of thein
Geriatrics : the diseases of old age and their treatment, including physiological old age, home and institutional care, and medico-legal relations . istending that portion of the intestinesand the rectum and the wasted muscular fibers cannot overcomethis distention. The colon consequently becomes dilated form-ing a pouch which may be 3 to 4 inches in diameter. There islessened peristalsis, diminished intestinal secretion and lessenedreflex irritability. As a result of these changes senile consti-pation is produced. Senile Constipation Etiology.—This is a symptom of senile degeneration of theintestmes. The following causes contribute to this condition:(1) Diminished peristalsis due to atonicity of the intestinalwalls; (2) diminished intestinal secretions due to atrophy ofthe intestinal glands; (3) diminished reflex irritability due tolessened innervation; (4) diminished bile supply thereby in-creasing the tendency to thickening of intestinal mucus and theformation of mucomembranes; (5) unsuitable food; (6) causesconnected with gastric and duodenal digestion. Other causesof constipation as tumors, adhesions, hemorrhoids, viscerop-. Bramwells withered apple heart. (Satterthwaite,Med. Record, May 14, SENILE DEGENERATION OF THE INTESTINES III tosis, habit, indigestion, etc., do not produce the condition heredescribed which is simply a manifestation of senile degeneration. Symptoms.—Senile constipation comes on slowly, the pa-tient finding a gradually lessened desire for stool. If he is accus-tomed to go to stool at the same time daily, he must make asensible effort to expel it and at times nothing will pass in spiteof all straining. The stools are small and hard, dark and dryif they have been long retained, or light, clayey, if there is anabnormal deficiency of bile. Occasionally there is impaction ofthe colon with a canal through the impaction. When this ispresent the stools pass as small, hard balls. We can have asenile constipation with a daily evacuation;
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidger, booksubjectgeriatrics
