VOMITUS, 391 



stratum of epithelium-scales from the tract of mucous membrane 

 between the pharynx and the stomach, and this condition is 

 recognized by the gastric furred tongue. 1 



This fur or coating has been analysed by Denis : he found 

 that one half consisted of phosphate and carbonate of lime, the 

 other half of mucus. 



In gastrodynia, even when there is no food in the stomach, 

 the gastric juice is secreted in such an acid condition as to set 

 the teeth on edge. This is chiefly caused by free hydrochloric 

 acid, but concentrated lactic and acetic acids will produce the 

 same effect. 



In gastritis, colonitis, enteritis, and peritonitis, a grass-green 

 liquid is often brought up; it is frequently mixed with green or 

 white flocculi, and on other occasions is quite clear; it almost 

 always has an acid reaction, and usually contains a considerable 

 amount of fat. 



I analysed a fluid of this sort that was vomited during peri- 

 tonitis : it had a greenish, viscid appearance, and contained 

 whitish flocculi that presented an amorphous character under 

 the microscope. It did not affect blue or red litmus paper; 

 on the addition of nitric acid there was a separation of white 

 flocculi, and the fluid became first of a pale blue and subse- 

 quently of a reddish tint. On the application of heat some 

 globules of oil separated themselves, and a small quantity of 

 albumen became coagiilated; it contained 2'9 of solid consti- 

 tuents, from which ether took up a yellow liquid fat that was 

 imperfectly soluble in cold, but dissolved easily in hot alcohol ; 

 it contained a little cholesterin, and gave off a smell like that 

 of a fatty acid. 



Alcohol took up extractive matter and bilifellinic acid, which 

 latter could be separated by means of sulphuric acid ; dilute 

 alcohol took up spirit-extract with a little bilifellinic acid. A 

 considerable amount of the portion that was insoluble in spirit 

 dissolved in water, and was again precipitated by alcohol, tannic 



1 On examining the thick coating of the tongue in cases of abdominal typhus, I 

 have found that it is composed of matted epithelium-scales over which minute 

 sporules are scattered. The sordes from the teeth exhibited similar characters. 



