Enteric Colic

First-cases of enteric colic are much more common than is generally recognized. Second-much more can be done for such cases than the literature discloses. Third-many babies suffer pain and discomfort, and their parents experience nerve-racking physical and nervous exhaustion unnecessarily. Fourth-the permanent, most serious results are often found in the psychological field. Strange as it may seem there is but slight interest on the part of the profession or appreciation of the seriousness of the affections of the motor functions of the digestive machine in early infancy. There is also a lack of scientific knowledge of the mechanics of digestion in the young infant suffering with colic. In a previous article3 on the treatment of projectile vomiting and enteric colic it was said, "The study of projectile vomiting and enteric colic in early infancy from a physiological and mechanical standpoint may solve many obscure and puzzling problems." Such a clinical study of enteric colic, in its major and minor manifestations, follows in an attempt to answer the following questions. 1) What are the causes of enteric colic? 2) How should a group of cases be classified that are called by the parents "cross," "cranky," "fussy," or termed by the profession (which often ignores them) as "neuropathic" or "having an autonomous imbalance"? 3) Why does colic generally occur with greater violence in the late afternoon or evening? 4) Is it possible that the ileo-cecal sphincter often plays a hitherto unrecognized role? Lack of space and time preclude an attempt to evaluate the effect that enteric colic has on the psychological situation in the family and possibly on the baby's psyche. However, I am sure, from conversations with many parents, that such cases, if prolonged, do have a lasting