THE BALANCE OF PHYSICAL FORCES WHICH DETERMINE THE RATE AND DIRECTION OF FLOW OF FLUID THROUGH THE INTESTINAL MUCOSA

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Abstract
Inflation of a soft rubber bag supported against the mesentery between parallel metal plates of a special apparatus congests the veins and lymphatics of isolated loops of bowel of barbitalized dogs. Graded congestion diminishes the rate of absorption of isotonic saline from the loops. Expts. on 10 animals show that absorption ceases entirely when mesenteric venous pressure exceeds the pressure within the loop by an amt. which is equal to the osmotic pressure of the plasma proteins. Greater degrees of congestion result in secretion of fluid into the loop at rates which increase geometrically. The findings support the physical-circulatory theory of intestinal absorption and secretion of fluid previously proposed by the author. Objections to the hypothesis are discussed.