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Meteorism or tympanites is observed in the greater number of cases of typhoid fever, having been noted by Murchison in 79 out of 100 cases, and by Hale in 130 out of 179 cases, and in only 43 of the remainder of his cases is it expressly stated to have been absent.

The meteorism is usually preceded and accompanied by gurgling and tenderness on pressure in the right iliac fossa.

The night attacks of meteorism are by far the worst.

As the patient is unable to aid defecation or to expel flatus by straining, the bowel is liable to become distended with fæces and gas, and the meteorism which results adds to the embarrassment of respiration by pressing on the diaphragm.

Carbonated and other mineral waters must be strictly avoided, since they only add to the usually prevailing meteorism, or gas in the abdominal cavity.