Tilgutus

Tilgutus is the act of delivering liquids drop by drop, typically from a reservoir through a tube or catheter. In Estonian usage, tilgutus refers to two main contexts: medical intravenous infusions and agricultural drip irrigation. The word stems from tilk, meaning a drop, with the suffix -utus indicating the process or method.

In medicine, tilgutus describes the administration of fluids into a patient by a drip, usually via an intravenous line. A bag or bottle of solution is connected to a flexible tube and a needle or cannula, allowing a controlled flow. The infusion rate is set with a flow regulator or an infusion pump to deliver a precise amount over time. Tilgutus requires careful monitoring of fluid balance, electrolyte levels, and potential adverse reactions, and is performed by trained healthcare professionals.

In agriculture, tilgutus denotes drip irrigation, where water and sometimes nutrients are delivered slowly to the plant root zone through emitters or drippers connected to a network of tubing. This method improves water efficiency, reduces evaporation and runoff, and supports precise delivery of fertilizers in arid or water-limited environments. System designs range from simple gravity-fed setups to pressurized networks with filters, pressure regulators, and timers.

Safety and maintenance considerations common to tilgutus include preventing contamination and infection in medical settings, ensuring correct flow rates, avoiding air entering the system, and preventing emitter clogging or uneven water distribution in irrigation. The term is used in technical and professional contexts within healthcare and agriculture.