The blood is oxidised in the ileum and colon. Generally about 100 to 200mls of upper GI bleeding is required to get melena. Black (not tarry) stools can be caused by iron supplements or Bismuth as well as foods like licorice and beetroot.

Giardia causes abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea and watery, offensive smelling stools (as compared to pleasant stools --go figure). Treatment is 4 tablets of 500mg Tinidazole taken at one time.

There are many causes of what is called "travellers diarrhoea". Bacteria most often cause it--and of these Enterotoxigenic E.coli is the most common. Usually settles down with oral rehydration and rest. In more severe cases of travellers diarrhoea I would take Ciprofloxacin.

In EKIRI syndrome patients present with decreased LOC, seizures, fever, diarrhoea, low Na, low Ca and cerebral oedema. Shigella is susceptible to antibiotics. In mild disease oral Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin can decrease the duration of the disease by a few days. In severe disease IV Ceftriaxone is recommended.

The development of oral rehydration therapy in the 1960s and 1970s meant that it became the primary treatment for severe diarrhoea. Its development has saved millions of lives.

Diverticulosis makes up about 30% of cases.

About 1 in 3 patients get a fever in the first few days. Symptoms last from a few days to a week. Most common in winter and spring. Treatment is supportive with oral or IV fluid replacement. Worldwide rotavirus causes an enormous health burden.

About half of people over 50yrs age have haemorrhoids. The word is from the Greek haema (blood) rhoos (flowing).

Ulkcerative colitis is resticted to fine ulcers on the inner mucosal lining of the large intestine. In Crohns disease the ulcers extend into the muscle wall and can affect anywhere along the digestive tract.

The Rajneeshee sect was frustrated with the local council so decided to put up their own candidates. To decrease election turnout and give their candidates a better chance they decided to infect the salads. 45 of the infected required hospitalisation. Fortunately it did not work to get their candidates elected and a number of them went to jail.