An Evaluation of the Toe-touch Position in the Diagnosis of Hiatus Hernia

The value of the erect toe-touch position in the diagnosis of hiatus hernia is assessed. A comparison is made in a personal series with the figures obtained by the use of Trendelenburg's position alone, and an increase of 19 cases out of a total of 92 cases is shown by using the toe-touch position. Emphasis is laid on regarding the manoeuvre as a supplement to the routine methods and a logical sequence of positions is suggested for the attempted demonstration of a hiatus hernia. The reasons for possible errors in diagnosis and the methods of avoiding them are discussed.