THE RATE OF PASSAGE OF INERT MATERIALS THROUGH THE DIGESTIVE TRACT

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Abstract
The rate of passage of various inert materials through the digestive tract of 16 rabbits, 7 guinea pigs, 4 dogs, 2 cats, 50 albino rats, 8 white mice, 1 monkey, 3 pigeons, 1 hen, and 1 man was observed. The test materials included rubber, cotton thread (knots), seeds, glass beads, aluminum, steel, silver, and gold. Rates of passage more or less proportional to the specific gravity of the test materials were found, the heavier materials passing slower than light material. The rates of passage also varied considerably in the different species and individuals. The main sites of stasis of the heavier materials were determined in some species. In rabbits, the stasis occurred most regularly in the duodenum and to a lesser extent in the colon, appendix, cecum, and stomach. In guinea pigs, most heavy material was retained in the stomach and less in the cecum. In the rats, the cecum was the main site of stasis and much less occurred in the stomach. The pigeons and hen retained most of the heavy material in the gizzard and the hen also showed some stasis in the duodenum and jejunum. In man, heavy materials tended to accumulate mainly in the cecum, colon, and terminal ileum. The stasis of gold was so great that intestinal obstruction could be produced with it in rabbits, but not in guinea pigs, rats, or mice. Variations in the rate of passage of heavy test materials largely independent of changes in the passage of light material were noted and are partly explained by the observation that heavy materials tend to pass in masses when they pass at all. A relation between the gastro-intestinal motor activity of female rats and their fertility, the viability of their young, and the sex ratio in their litters was seen. Other observations, tests, and relationships are also mentioned and discussed.

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