An Appraisal of Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

In writing about a subject like ulcerative colitis, it would be comforting to imagine oneself to be somewhere near the "growing edge," if not just exactly in the front line. And yet, this "growing edge" is so often disappointing, if not positively misleading, for too many of the new advances are reminiscent of the Seed which fell on stony ground:

''and because it had no root it withered away."

This is particularly true about researches into the aetiology and nature of ulcerative colitis. The fact that the disease is a cruel scourge of healthy young people, treatable to some extent, and yet imperfectly understood, has produced the attitude of mind that ulcerative colitis is a challenge. Although many valuable advances have resulted, it is probable that more pet theories have gained hold in this disease than in any other, and consequently there is considerable diversity of opinion regarding its nature and its treatment. Ideally, there should be a team, consisting of physician, surgeon and psychiatrist, each with something to offer in the treatment of the patient, but, in the international congress on ulcerative colitis, co-operation was curiously lacking, and the individual members seemed unable to concern themselves with approaches which were not their own.