198 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 



brane of the digestive tract will show numerous traces 

 of disease, inflammatory thickening and ulceration. In 

 many instances the mucous membrane of the stomach 

 is found detached, leaving the inner surface of the 

 organ raw and granular. Many of the glands that fur- 

 nish the digestive fluids are narrowed or destroyed. 

 The ducts which convey the bile and pancreatic fluids 

 are often contracted and thickened. This prevents, 

 more or less, the flow of these fluids, and digestion suf- 

 fers in proportion. 



In health the higher forms of digestion are carried 

 on in the circulation, but with the condition described 

 such digestive changes do not take place, or rather the 

 change in the digestive organs and fluids permits an 

 ever-increasing amount of waste to enter the circula- 

 tion, and these irritating substances result in a low 

 form of inflammation. 



The bile-duct opens into the digestive tract three 

 and one-half inches below the stomach. During con- 

 gestion or chronic inflammation from septic blood, this 

 duct may become closed, obstructing the flow of bile, 

 which now seeks other means of escape, some passing 

 out through the skin, producing its characteristic color 

 called jaundice. This condition is also indicated by a 

 bitter taste in the mouth. 



With fermentation in the stomach the taste is sour, 

 because the stomach produces acids. 



The return circulation from the digestive tract passes 

 through the liver, hence any poisons resulting from 

 poor digestion are carried direct to this organ, and re- 



