[Illness due to enterolith in children (author's transl)]

The aim of this paper is to emphasize the extreme importance of the rectal examination and exact palpation of the abdomen in cases of obscure abdominal pain, especially as it is purely a question of a simple and inexpensive diagnostical procedure. The rectal examination should always be carried out prior to any large scale diagnostical procedures as it does, in the care of positive findings, spare the child the considerable burden of X-rays. If, after an appendectomy, the same pains that led to the operation continue, one must conclude that their cause has not been removed by the operation. An exact clinical classification should be undertaken to avoid the later occurrence of a critical illness (ileus). As with any diagnosis, it is necessary in the event of enterolith too, to regard it as a possibility. The anamnestic registration of a daily bowel movement should not be a reason for not carrying out the rectal examinations as large quantities of stool can collect.