GASTRIC DIGESTION. , 421 



process of digestion in such cases being suspended, and sometimes vomiting ex- 

 cited. When acidulated substances, as food rendered acid by the addition of a 

 little vinegar, were introduced into the stomach, the quantity of gastric fluid 

 poured out was much smaller, and the digestive process consequently slower, 

 than when similar food, rendered alkaline by a weak solution of carbonate of 

 soda, was introduced. If, however, instead of a weak solution, carbonate of 

 soda in crystal or in powder was introduced into the stomach, a large quantity 

 of mucus and bile, instead of gastric fluid, flowed into the stomach ; and vomit- 

 ing and purging very often followed. When very cold water, or small pieces of 

 ice, were introduced into the stomach, the mucous membrane was at first rendered 

 very pallid; but soon a kind of reaction followed, the membrane became turgid 

 with blood, and a large quantity of gastric fluid was secreted. If, however, too 

 much ice was employed, the animal appeared ill, and shivered ; and digestion, 

 instead of being rendered more active, was retarded. Moderate heat, applied 

 to the mucous surface of the stomach, appeared to have no particular action on 

 digestion ; but a high degree of heat produced most serious consequences. Thus, 

 the introduction of a little boiling water threw the animal at once into a kind 

 of adynamic state, which was followed by death in three or four hours ; the 

 mucous membrane of the stomach was found red and swollen, whilst an abund- 

 ant exudation of blackish blood had taken place into the cavity of the organ. 

 Similar injurious effects resulted in a greater or less degree, from the introduc- 

 tion of other irritants, such as nitrate of silver or ammonia ; the digestive func- 

 tions being at once abolished, and the mucous surface of the organ rendered 

 highly sensitive. 



444. That the quantity of the Gastric Juice secreted from the walls of the 

 stomach depends rather upon the general requirements of the system, than upon 

 the quantity of food introduced into the digestive cavity, is a principle of the 

 highest practical importance, and cannot be too steadily kept in view in Dietetics. 

 A definite proportion only of aliment can be perfectly digested in a given quan- 

 tity of the fluid ; the action of which, like that of other chemical operations, 

 ceases after having been exercised on a fixed and definite amount of matter. 

 " When the juice has become saturated, it refuses to dissolve more; and, if an 

 excess of food has been taken, the residue remains in the stomach, or passes 

 into the bowels in a crude state, and becomes a source of nervous irritation, pain, 

 and disease, for a long time/' The unfavorable effect of an undue burthen of 

 food upon the Stomach itself, interferes with its healthy action; and thus the 

 quantity really appropriate is not dissolved. The febrile disturbance is thus 

 increased; and the mucous membrane of the stomach exhibits evident indica- 

 tions of its morbid condition. The description of these indications given by 

 Dr. Beaumont, is peculiarly graphic, as well as Hygienically important. u In 

 disease, or partial derangement of the healthy function, the mucous membrane 

 presents various and essentially different appearances. In febrile conditions of 

 the system, occasioned by whatever cause obstructed perspiration, undue ex- 

 citement by stimulating liquors, overloading the stomach with food, fear, anger, 

 or whatever depresses or disturbs the nervous system the villous coat becomes 

 sometimes red and dry, at other times pale and moist, and loses its smooth and 

 healthy appearance ; the secretions become vitiated, greatly diminished, or even 

 suppressed; the coat of mucus scarcely perceptible, the follicles flat and flaccid, 

 with secretions insufficient to prevent the papillae from irritation. There are 

 sometimes found, on the internal coat of the stomach, eruptions of deep red 

 pimples, not numerous, but distributed here and there upon the villous mem- 

 brane, rising above the surface of the mucous coat. These are at first sharp- 

 pointed, and red, but frequently become filled with white purulent matter. At 

 other times, irregular, circumscribed red patches, varying in size and extent 

 from half an inch to an inch and a half in circumference, are' fimnd on the 



