[Acute esophagitis and gastritis caused by caustic acids]

9 cases of caustic ingestion are reported and the diagnostic and therapeutic problems of the consequent gastritis and oesophagitis conditions discussed. In the case of small quantities of acids at low concentrations, the immediate steps are largely medical and conservative, their purpose being to monitor complications. In cases of massive ingestion, surgery should be as early as possible to avoid secondary lesions to the surrounding viscera and serious electrolytic imbalances; the limit for action with a relatively favourable prognosis is within 5 hours and removal of the damaged segments must be radical and extensive.