THE term “ileus” is derived from the Greek, meaning to twist. Dorland's dictionary defines it as “severe colic, due to intestinal obstruction.” Bottomley states that “ileus is a term used to designate as a whole that group of symptoms (colicky pain, constipation or obstipation, distention of the intestine, and nausea and vomiting) which indicate the existence of an intestinal obstruction. Most writers, however, use the term “ileus” as synonymous with “intestinal obstruction,” and such is our interpretation. It will be noted that no mention is made of peristaltic action in the above descriptions, and the reason is that its absence or presence depends upon the type of ileus, namely, whether it is paralytic or mechanical. In paralytic, reflex or adynamic ileus, the peristalsis is absent in the affected gut, although it is possible that active peristalsis may exist in the unaffected gut proximal to the obstructed segment. In the mechanical and dynamic types, peristalsis is hyperactive, until late in the cours...