USES OF GASTRIC JUICE. 239 



their surfaces. The use of the secretion is to keep the parts 

 on which it is poured supple and moist, and to preserve them 

 from the action of irritating bodies with which they have to 

 come in contact. 



FORA'MEN. Any cavity pierced through and through. Also 

 the orifice to a canal. 



FOSSA. A cavity of greater or less depth, the entrance to which 

 is always larger than the base. 



FR.ENUM. A small bridle. A name given to several membran- 

 ous folds, which bridle and retain certain organs. 



FRONTAL BONE. A double bone in the fetus, single in the adult, 

 situate at the base of the cranium, and at the superior part 

 of the face. 



FUNC'TION. The action of an organ or system of organs. Any 

 act necessary for accomplishing a vital phenomenon. A 

 function is a special office in the animal economy, which has 

 as its instrument an organ or apparatus of organs. 



FUNGUS. The mushroom order of plants. In pathology the 

 word is commonly used synonymously with fungosity (my- 



FUNGUS HJEMATO'DES (Haematodes Fungus). An exceedingly 

 alarming carcinomatous (cancerous) affection, which was first 

 described with accuracy by Mr. John Burns, of Glasgow. It 

 consists in the development of cancerous tumors, in which 

 the inflammation is accompanied with violent heat and pain, 

 and with fungus and bleeding excrescences. 



G. 



GANG' LION. Nervous ganglions are enlargements or knots in 

 the course of a nerve. 



GASTRIC. Belonging or relating to the stomach. 



GASTRIC JUICE. A fluid secreted from the mucous membrane 

 of the stomach. It assists digestion. 



GENTIAN WINE (vinum gentianae compositum, or wine bitters). 

 'Gentiana Lutea' is the systematic name of the officinal 

 gentian. The plant is common in the mountains of Europe. 

 The root is almost inodorous, extremely bitter, and yields 

 its virtues to ether, alcohol, and water. It is tonic and 

 stomachic, and, in large doses, aperient. It is most fre- 

 quently, however, used in infusion or tincture. 



