ABSORPTION IN THE STOMACH 



413 



duced into the stomach, 5 per cent, and over (von Mehring). That fats are 

 absorbed in the stomach was clearly indicated by von Kolliker as far back as 

 1857, although the fact seems to have been more or less ignored all these 

 years. He observed an increase in the amount of fat in the gastric mucosa 

 of both young and old animals after feeding. This observation has been 

 confirmed under carefully guarded experimental conditions, not only for 

 the different experimental laboratory animals, but for snakes and a number of 

 fishes. The relative amount of fat absorbed through the gastric mucosa is 

 small, however, compared with that absorbed by the intestinal villi. Even 



: 



FIG. 279. Scheme of Blood Vessels and Lymphatics of Human Small Intestine, a, 

 Central lacteal of villus; b, lacteal; c, stroma; d, muscularis mucosa^; e, submucosa;/, plexus 

 of lymph vessels; g, circular muscle layer; h, plexus of lymph vessels; i, longitudinal 

 muscle layer; j, serous coat; k, vein; /, artery; m, base of villus; n, crypt; o, artery of villus; 

 p, vein of villus; q, epithelium. (Mall.) 



salts in the stomach are not readily absorbed until the concentration is from 

 three to four times that of the blood. This fact is in direct opposition to the 

 popular views on the subject. 



While some absorption does take place in the stomach it is evidently not 

 of any great importance under normal conditions. The presence of alcohol 

 has been shown to increase the amount of absorption, and pepper, mustard, 

 and such drugs as produce mild local irritation accomplish the same result. 



