632 DIGESTION. 



result. In another dog, the abdomen was opened; the vessels of the 

 stomach tied; and the viscus extirpated. A solution of two grains of 

 tartrate of antimony and potassa in an ounce and a half of water was 

 then injected into the veins of the animal, when nausea and fruitless 

 efforts to vomit supervened. The injection was repeated six times: and 

 always with the same results. In another dog, the stomach was extir- 

 pated, and a hog's bladder fitted to the esophagus in its stead, con- 

 taining a pint of water, which distended but did not fill it. The whole 

 was then put into the abdomen; the parietes of which were closed by 

 suture. A solution of tartrate of antimony and potassa was now in- 

 jected into the jugular vein: nausea and, afterwards, vomiting super- 

 vened, and the fluid was forced from the bladder. In another dog, the 

 phrenic nerves were divided ; by which three-fourths of the diaphragm 

 were paralysed; the dorsal being the only nerves of motion remaining 

 untouched. When tartrate of antimony and potassa was injected into 

 the veins of this animal, but slight vomiting occurred; and this ceased, 

 when the abdomen was opened, and the stomach forcibly pressed upon. 

 In another dog, the abdominal muscles were detached from the sides 

 and linea alba ; the only part of the parietes remaining being the 

 peritoneum. A solution of tartrate of antimony and potassa was now 

 injected into the veins: nausea and vomiting supervened; and, through 

 the peritoneum, the stomach was observed immovable; whilst the dia- 

 phragm pressed down the viscera so strongly against the peritoneum, 

 that it gave way, and the linea alba alone resisted. In a final experi- 

 ment, he combined the two last. He cut the phrenic nerves to paralyse 

 the diaphragm ; and removed the abdominal muscles. Vomiting was 

 no longer excited. 



From these different results, M. Magendie decided, that vomiting 

 takes place independently of the stomach; and, on the other hand, 

 that it cannot occur without the agency of the diaphragm and abdominal 

 muscles ; and he concluded, that the stomach is almost passive in the 

 act ; that the diaphragm and abdominal muscles, especially the first, 

 are the principal agents ; that air is constantly swallowed at the time 

 of vomiting, to give the stomach the bulk which is necessary, in order 

 that it may be compressed by those muscles; and lastly, that the dia- 

 phragm and abdominal muscles are largely concerned in vomiting, as is 

 indicated by their evident and powerful contractions, and by the fatigue 

 felt in them afterwards. In corroboration of his view, M. Magendie 

 refers to cases of scirrhous pylorus, in which there is constant vomiting, 

 although a part of the tissue of the stomach has become of cartilaginous 

 hardness, and, consequently, incapable of contraction. 



Clear as the results obtained by this practiced experimenter seem to 

 be, they have been controverted ; and attempted to be overthrown by 

 similar experiments. Soon after the appearance of his memoir, M. 

 Maingault 1 laid before the Society of the Faculte de MSdecine of 

 Paris, a series of experiments, from which he deduced very different 

 results. In all, vomiting was produced without the aid of the diaphragm 

 and abdominal muscles. The vomiting was excited, by pinching a por- 



1 Memoire sur le Vomissement, Paris, 1813. 



