Display Settings:   Send to:  Choose Destination Ann Intern Med.
1982 Mar;96(3):365-9.  Sir Arbuthnot Lane, chronic intestinal
stasis, and autointoxication.   In the early 1900s, a theory
that constipation (stasis) led to systemic dysfunction became
popular, Sir Arbuthnot Lane was largely responsible for the
popularity of this theory, which was constructed entirely on
unfounded hypotheses. As a result, colon bypass or colectomy was
done for indications ranging from lassitude to epilepsy. The
theory was accepted--although disputed--until the clinical
futility of radical surgery was recognized. The favorable
acceptance of stasis in its time exemplifies the dangers of
medical practice by hypothesis.  [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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