Recovery from profound hypothermia with cardiac arrest after immersion.

are small, however, and a larger study would be necessary to confirm this observation. It has been suggested that a high intake of fibre can cause increased faecal bile acid excretion and hence decrease serum cholesterol concentration (Trowell, 1972). However, all the evidence does not support this hypothesis as is shown in the review by Cummings (1973). In this present study increased dietary fibre was not associated with any change in serum cholesterol concentration. The association of dietary fibre and diverticular disease is relatively well established (Painter, 1968, 1969; Painter and Burkitt, 1971). It would appear from the results of the present study that the possible therapeutic effect of bran or cellulose in preventing or treating diverticular disease is largely due to the ability of these substances to increase stool bulk. From the data presented it is calculated that an 80-kg man passing 100 g stool per day would excrete faeces equivalent to his body weight about every two years. By the ingestion of 16 g of bran or cellulose daily this output would be achieved in only 12 months. Significant alteration in colonic work load, intestinal function, and, possibly, in susceptibility of the bowel to pathological processes may be achieved by relatively minor alterations in dietary habit.