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The object of this study was to obtain definite information on the metabolic status of patients who have severe chronic ulcerative disease of the colon, which is usually termed " chronic ulcerative colitis." To obtain this information we have made under controlled conditions extensive studies of the composition of the feces, urine, and food of three patients afflicted with this disease.Case 1 was a man, aged thirty-five years, who had an acute and advanced degree of the disease which involved the entire colon. This patient weighed 120 pounds (54.4 kgm.) and was 73 inches (185.4 cm.) in height. He had been in good health until six weeks prior to his admission to the hospital when he had begun to have diarrhea, cramps in the abdomen, and fever. He had lost 70 pounds (31.8 kgm.). Proctoscopic examination showed that the rectum, rectosigmoid, and sigmoid flexure were extensively ulcerated, scarred, and bleeding. Microscopic and bacteriological examinations of the feces revealed nothing of known importance. The value for the hemoglobin was 12.6 grams per 100 cc. of blood. Three observations were made in this case. The periods of these observations were four days, four days, and two days respectively.Case 2 was a woman, aged forty-three years, who had had chronic diarrhea for two years, and a recent exacerbation. This patient weighed 137 pounds (62.1 kgm.) and was 63 inches (160 cm.) in height. She had lost sixteen pounds (7.3 kgm.). The entire colon was involved in the ulcerating process. Proctoscopic examination revealed numerous ulcerations in the rectum and sigmoid flexure. Microscopic and bacteriological examinations revealed nothing of known significance in the feces. There was 11.7 grams of hemoglobin in each 100 cc. of blood. Two observations were made in this case. The periods of these observations were three days each.Case 3 was a man, aged twenty-five years, who weighed 110 pounds (49.9 kgm.) and was 67 inches (170.2 cm.) in height, who had had diarrhea for two years, at times with acute severe exacerbations. The rectum and sigmoid flexure were ulcerated, scarred, and bled easily. The entire colon was involved in the diseased process. Microscopic and bacteriological examinations revealed nothing of known etiological significance in the feces.