SUMMARY An 'in-vitro' technique is described for measuring quantitatively the absorption and secretion of water and electrolytes, the short circuiting current, and the simultaneous bidirectional flux rates of ions across the healthy and diseased colonic mucosa. The results show that the normal colon absorbs both sodium and water and secretes potassium.In (1951), to measure the net transport and simultaneous bidirectional flux rates of water and electrolytes across the human colonic epithelium studied in vitro. This method allows a direct measure of electrolyte transfer to be made in relation to mucosal surface area. It also permits an assessment of the electrical activity generated across the mucosa, and enables an analysis of some of the factors which may influence it. Materials and MethodsThe apparatus (see Fig.) consists of two identical perspex chambers between which is mounted a flat sheet of colonic mucosa. The dependent part of each chamber incorporates a Y-shaped inlet adjacent to the mucosa. Through one limb of this connexion

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