“…Infection by gas-producing organisms, of which the clostridia form the largest group, is responsible for this gas formation. Edinburgh and Geffen (1958) have reviewed 50 cases reported up to 1958 since the condition was first described at autopsy in 1901. They report in their review that the condition was first diagnosed at operation in 1908 and that it was not until 1931 that a pre-operative diagnosis was made on radiological grounds.…”