Some Observations upon the Radiology of the Small Intestine in Old Age

Attention is drawn to abnormalities in the pattern and behaviour of the small intestine in people over the age of 70 who do not present any clinical evidence of gastro-intestinal dysfunction or disease. Of 18 elderly males examined by barium meal, 17 showed changes varying from spasticity and hypermotility to hypotonus and delay. These changes are compared with the appearances now recognised as associated with nutritional disorder, of which there was here no evidence. The possibility of an arteriosclerotic basis is briefly discussed.