BIOLOGY IN HUMAN AFFAIRS 



The Stomach and the Intestines. The contents of the stomach 

 may be pumped out and examined to determine whether 

 or not food is being digested properly by the normal 

 secretions. The shape of the stomach may be determined 

 by injecting substances which make the stomach visible 

 to the X-ray. A defect in the lining of the stomach shows 

 on the X-ray and gives the physician an indication as to 

 whether he must look for some abnormality in the shape 

 of the stomach, for the presence of ulcers or of a cancer. 

 Each of these conditions produces changes in the secretions 

 of the organ itself. A certain amount of time is required for 

 the stomach to mix the food thoroughly and to subject 

 it to the various secretions, after which the food is passed 

 on into the intestines. Any delay or undue haste in the 

 emptying of the stomach manifests itself by symptoms 

 which are exceedingly disagreeable. 



By the use of the fluoroscope and by the use of serial 

 X-ray pictures, it is possible to determine exactly how 

 long the stomach requires for its work. By the use of the 

 esophagoscope or gastroscope it is actually possible to 

 look into the esophagus and the stomach. It is even pos- 

 sible, by means of a newly invented camera, to take pictures 

 of the lining of the stomach without opening up the pa- 

 tient. In the vast majority of cases of indigestion, though, 

 it is not necessary to make all these studies, for the simple 

 reason that it is possible to tell from easily determined 

 symptoms just about what is wrong and, by the giving of 

 suitable advice concerning diet and digestion, to free the 

 patient from his disagreeable symptoms. 



On the other hand, in many cases called indigestion, it 

 is difficult to make certain whether or not the patient is 

 suffering from a disease of the stomach, a disease of the 

 gall bladder, an inflammation of the appendix, or a nervous 

 disorder without manifest changes in the stomach itself. 

 There are people who find it impossible to eat or to 



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