[New data on the disease induced by laxatives].

The authors report 5 personal case and recall the physiopathological mechanisms of metabolic disorders observed during the abuse of laxatives. They emphasize the fact that electrolyte losses were not only fecal, but also aggravated by frequent use of diuretics or dietary restriction. One may oppose the constant, very marked fall in body potassium to the variation in sodium content of the organism. Oedema formed part of the clinical picture. The withdrawal of drastic laxatives and diuretics, led to rapid recovery of all the symptoms.