In 12 patients undergoing coloscopy, 0.5 mg digoxin in aqueous alcoholic solution was injected into the transverse colon. The late maximum of the blood level curve at about 2 hours after the administration suggested delayed absorption of the glycoside. However, the 24 hour urinary excretion of 17 +/- 3.4% in 8 patients with normal colonic mucosa demonstrated extensive absorption in the distal part of the bowel. The results have been contrasted with the findings in 4 patients with ulcerative colitis who excreted only 1.66 +/- 0.6% of the given dose in 24 hours.

Whipple's disease is frequently recognised only after numerous diagnostic sidetracks. As demonstrated by four patients polyarthritis and fever are characteristic early symptoms for many years. Early consideration of this differential diagnosis and subsequent small intestinal biopsy permit early diagnosis of the disease. Intermittent or long-term antibiotic treatment successfully removes intestinal marasmus and its accompanying symptoms.