Observations of the nutritional effect of subcutaneous oil injections.

Abstract

Experiments with subcutaneous oil injections have been frequently tried. The first clinical observations were published in 1869. Extensive animal experiments were carried out by Leube in 1895 and by Mills in Lusk's laboratory in 1911. Both considered oil injections were of practical value. Others have repeated this work using fat and oil for injections with varying degree of success. Winternitz was, for instance, unable to obtain good results.

We resorted to this method of treatment in a very serious case of Hirschsprung's disease (child 11 years of age). Following the total extirpation of the colon and sigmoid the child either refused or vomited most of his food. He also had loose stools. His condition was desperate, his weight having fallen from 63 to 47 pounds, a loss of 16 pounds.

The first two days we injected 50 cc. of sterile cotton seed oil. The child gained in weight, but after stopping the injections the weight remained stationary. For the following seven days we increased the amount of oil to 100 cc. per day. The general condition and appetite improved to such an extent that he took food by mouth better than before. His weight likewise increased.

Again the injections were discontinued, with the same effect upon his gaining, namely, almost no rise. We therefore decided to continue the oil injections for fifteen days more. Simultaneously the weight rose. As the child was eating well and his state of nutrition was much improved, we have discontinued the oil injections.

Apparently the greater part of the oil was absorbed, but there are a few areas of swelling undoubtedly due to the oil. Over a period of forty-one days thirty injections of oil were given. The total amount was 2250 gm., equal to 20,475 calories or 500 calories per day (750 nem).