This disease does not admit of dietetic treatment. No food should be taken by the mouth. The severe vomiting that so often exhausts the patient is most likely to be relieved if the stomach is washed clean. Lavage may have to be practised several times daily. The colon also should be flushed frequently. As large an amount of hot water as possible should be introduced slowly into the intestine. By these means permanent relief is afforded and the symptoms of collapse are avoided in many cases of acute obstruction.

Thirst can be quenched by rinsing the mouth with water, by rectal injections, or by hypodermic injections of normal salt solution. If the symptoms of obstruction are not relieved promptly, rectal alimentation must be resorted to. When relief comes, only liquid food should be given by the mouth and in spoonful doses. The amount of food should be increased very gradually and afterward a change from liquid to solid food made slowly.

Chronic obstructions must be removed or obviated by surgical operations. Prior to operation the treatment is the same as for acute obstruction except that in many cases a progressive stenosis precedes obstruction. During the peroid of stenosis foods that leave little residue may be eaten. As stenosis increases smaller amounts may be taken at longer intervals, and greater care must be exercised to keep the colon washed clean. As less food is eaten, rectal alimentation must be relied upon more and more.