Search

A distinction is drawn between coeliac-mesenteric occlusion in intestinal infarct, vascular insufficiency, and fully compensated occlusion. The clinical picture of the first is that of acute abdomen with serious circulatory shock syndrome, whereas chronic insufficiency is marked by episodic pain triggered by eating, effort, drugs, etc., canalisation disturbances, meteorism, constipation or diarrhoea, intestinal stenosis, wasting and malabsorption. Their medical management and its principles, possibilities and limits are discussed.

The factors involved in and the significance of the so-called "aging" phenomenon, with particular regard to its manifestations in Italy and Sicily are discussed with particular regard to the different meaning of "being elderly" as a biological and clinical phenomenon linked with considerable individual variations to aging, and "being old", as a social and psychological exclusion factor connected with the essentially segregational and excluding attitude of society in general with regard to the old. The conditions for preventing a state of "being old" are indicated in terms of geriatrics methodology, sociosanitary aspects connected with health service structures, and personal aspects involving the responsibility of the aging man.