Self-induced colitis.

The case is reported of a young ex-nurse with severe inflammation in the distal colon, extending 15 cm proximally from the anus, due to the self-instillation of a noxious substance, namely, caustic soda. She escaped detection over a period of months. The result was extensive inflammatory change in the terminal 15 cm of the large bowel, with gross macroscopic, histological and radiological abnormalities.