1.   Always cut stems obliquely creating a larger area for water absorption.

2.   In secreting intestine all the solutions reversed net secretion to net absorption but all three hypotonic ORS promoted more water absorption than WHO-ORS and UK-ORS.

3.   RS-ORS and RP-ORS promoted more water absorption in secreting intestine than did the hypotonic glucose monomer solution, HYPO-ORS.

4.   As expected there was direct correlation between total net solute absorption and net water absorption both in normal and secreting intestine.

5.   It is extremely unlikely therefore that the profound differences in water absorption between the hypertonic and hypotonic ORS are related to differences in sodium or glucose concentration.

6.   The ORS containing complex carbohydrate led to increased water absorption in secreting intestine compared with the hypotonic monomer solution HYPO-ORS.

7.   In normal intestine the pattern of sodium absorption paralleled that for water absorption emphasising the importance of passive sodium absorption and solvent drag.

8.   These mechanisms were not able to offset the net sodium secretion induced by CT, however, which occurred despite net water absorption.

9.   Glucose absorption from the hypotonic, monomeric, or polymeric ORS, paralleled water absorption whether the intestine was in a normal or secretory state.