The Absorption of Water, Sodium, and Potassium in the Large Intestine with Particular Reference to the Effects of Villous Papillomas.

The absorption of water, sodium, and potassium from isolated segments of the large intestine has been studied in 11 patients. In eight control segments adjacent to a carcinoma of the colon, absorption of water and sodium and secretion of potassium occurred. In five segments of intestine containing a villous papilloma, water, sodium, and potassium were secreted. The difference is mainly due to an increase in exsorption of sodium and water, insorption being relatively unaffected.