Abstract
Having carried out and reviewed the results
of these investigations the writer is of opinion,
(1) that secondary ulceration of the intestines
is present in approximately half of all
diagnosed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis -
a proportion which increase to 80 90%
before death.
(2) that it is not essentially a terminal
condition, but usually appears when the
pulmonary lesion has advanced to a moderate
extent.
(3) that within one year from the first appearance
of symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis,
secondary tuberculous intestinal ulceration
has occurred in approximately half of the
cases.
(4) that it does not show its presence by means
of symptoms until it has become extensive,
and may indeed be found at autopsy in an
advanced degree when there were no symptoms
indicative of it during life.
The investigator has also drawn the following
minor conclusions,-
(5) that, when the necessary precautions have
been taken, and in the absence of other
ulceration of the alimentary tract, a
positive result obtained from the application
of the benzidine test to the faeces of a
patient suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis,
is diagnostic of tuberculous ulceration of
the intestine.
(6) that it is possible to diagnose intestinal
ulceration by means of the benzidine test,in
a greater number of cases than by means of
symptoms and clinical examination,or by
radiological methods.
(7) that it is impossible}by means of radiological
methods at present available,to diagnose
tuberculous intestinal ulceration where the
small intestine alone is affected, but that
the presence of occult blood in the faeces
of such cases together with negative
radiological findings in the large intestine
is, in the absence of symptoms, the only
method of diagnosis of such a condition.
