THE GASTRIC FLUID. 273 



that of other parts of the body, rose one or two degrees 

 higher. 



M. Blondlot, and subsequently M. Bernard, and since 

 then, several others, by maintaining fistulous openings into 

 the stomachs of dogs, have confirmed most of the facts 

 discovered by Dr. Beaumont. And the man St. Martin 

 has frequently submitted to renewed experiments on his 

 stomach by various physiologists. From all these observa- 

 tions it appears, that pepper, salt, and other soluble 

 stimulants, excite a more rapid discharge of gastric fluid 

 than mechanical irritation does ; so do alkalies generally, 

 but acids have a contrary effect. When mechanical irri- 

 tation is carried beyond certain limits so as to produce 

 pain, the secretion, instead of being more abundant, 

 diminishes or ceases entirely, and a ropy mucus is poured 

 out instead. Very cold water, or small pieces of ice, at 

 first render the mucous membrane pallid, but soon a kind 

 of reaction ensues, the membrane becomes turgid with 

 blood, and a larger quantity of gastric juice is poured out. 

 The application of too much ice is attended by diminution 

 in the quantity of fluid secreted, and by consequent re- 

 tardation of the process of digestion. The quantity of the 

 secretion seems to be influenced also by impressions made 

 on the mouth ; for Blondlot found that when sugar was 

 introduced into the dog's stomach, either alone, or mixed 

 with human saliva, a very small secretion ensued : but 

 when the dog had himself masticated and swallowed it, 

 the secretion was abundant. 



Dr. Beaumont described the secretion of the human 

 stomach as " a clear transparent fluid, inodorous, a little 

 saltish, and very perceptibly acid. Its taste is similar to 

 that of thin mucilaginous water, slightly acidulated with 

 muriatic acid. It is readily diffusible in water, wine, or 

 spirits ; slightly effervesces with alkalies ; and is an effec- 

 tual solvent of the materia alimentaria. It possesses the 



It 



