CHYMIFICATION. 573 



that period had elapsed: the valve could then be depressed, and more 

 food put in. When the man was so placed, that the cardia could be 

 seen, and was permitted to swallow a mouthful of food, the same con- 

 traction of the stomach and grasping of the bolus were invariably ob- 

 served to commence at the oesophageal ring. Hence, when food is 

 swallowed too rapidly, irregular contractions of the muscular fibres of 

 the oesophagus and stomach are produced ; the vermicular motions of 

 the rugae are disturbed, and the regular process of digestion is inter- 

 rupted. 



Whilst the stomach is undergoing distension by food, it experiences 

 changes in its size, situation, and connexion with the neighbouring 

 organs. The dilatation does not affect its three coats equally. The 

 two laminae of the peritoneal coat separate, and permit the stomach to 

 pass farther between them. The muscular coat experiences a true 

 distension; its fibres lengthen, but still so as to preserve the particu- 

 lar shape of the organ ; whilst the mucous coat yields, in those parts 

 especially where the rugse are numerous; that is, along the great curva- 

 ture and splenic portion. In place, too, of being flattened at its anterior 

 and posterior surfaces, and occupying only the epigastrium, and a part 

 of the left hypochondrium, it assumes a rounded figure. Its great cul-de- 

 sac descends into the left hypochondre and almost fills it, and the greater 

 curvature descends towards the umbilicus, especially on the left side. 

 The pylorus preserves its position and connexion with the surrounding 

 parts; being fixed down by a fold of the peritoneum. It is chiefly 

 forwards, upwards, and to the left side, that the dilatation occurs. The 

 posterior surface cannot dilate on account of the resistance of the verte- 

 bral column, and of a ligamentous formation which prevents the stomach 

 from pressing on the great vessels behind it. Its cardiac and pyloric 

 portions are also fixed; so that when it is undergoing distension, a 

 movement of rotation takes place, by which the great curvature is 

 directed slightly forwards; the posterior surface inclined downwards, 

 and the superior upwards. A wound received in the epigastric region, 

 will, consequently, penetrate the stomach in a very different part, ac- 

 cording as the viscus may be, at the time, full or empty. 



The dilatation of the organ produces changes in the condition of the 

 abdomen and its viscera. The total size of the abdominal cavity is 

 augmented; the belly becomes prominent; and the abdominal viscera 

 are compressed, sometimes so much as to excite a desire to evacuate 

 the contents of the bladder or rectum. The diaphragm is crowded to- 

 wards the thorax, and is depressed with difficulty; so' that, not only is 

 ordinary respiration cramped; but speaking and singing become labo- 

 rious. When the distension of the organ is pushed to an enormous 

 extent, the parietes of the abdomen may be painfully distended, and 

 the respiration really difficult. It is in these cases of over-distension, 

 that an energetic contraction of the oesophagus is necessary; hence the 

 advantage of the strong muscular arrangement at its lower part. In 

 proportion as the food accumulates in the stomach, the sensation of 

 hunger diminishes; and, if we go on swallowing additional portions, it 

 entirely disappears, or is succeeded by nausea and loathing. The quan- 

 tity, necessary to produce this effect, varies according to the individual, 



