Enteric feeding

In Enteric feeding, a tube is passed up a patient's nose, through their pharynx (the hollow that connects the back of one's throat with the nose), and down their esophagus (the tube to their stomach).

Liquid, easily-digested nutrients are dripped into the tube, and digested by the patient. Most such solutions are a mixture of water, salts, sugars, vegetable fats, vegetable proteins and vitamins.

Withholding of enteric nutrition is a standard way of performing euthanasia with unconscious patients, especially elderly patients who fail to have a prompt recovery from surgery or other medical mishaps.

Some practitioners point out that withholding of enteric nutrition is less humane than use of opiates, because the patient dies a lingering death of dehydration.

See also life support, medicine