In some circumstances peritoneal infection causes distention and crowding of the bowel to such an extent that the effect is that of intestinal obstruction and it is impossible to introduce a tube far enough by physiologic routes to bring about deflation. The pressure upon the diaphragm then may cause pain in breathing, with the result that the patient does not fully expand the lungs and atelectasis develops in the lower lobes. In such circumstances surgical intervention to relieve the pressure in the bowel may be indicated. An ordinary urethral catheter introduced through an incision in the intestine cannot be extended far enough to relieve pressure in more than a few loops.A method of using a Foley catheter and of advancing it for greater distances inside the bowel was used in five cases with good results and without complications.