48 CHYMIFYCATION. 



CONVERSATION III. 



Chymiflcation the gastric juice artificial digestion 

 digestion in Birds digestion of liquids influence of 

 digestion on the other functions effect of exercise on 

 digestion influence of the mind on digestion drinks 

 natural diet chyhflcation bile liver pancreas 

 spleen lacteals rumination digestion of Rep- 

 tiles and Fishes, of Mollusca and Zoophytes. 



Dr. B. At last the food 1ms reached the the stom- 

 ach, and the second stage of the digestive process begins. 

 Stimulated by the presence of the food the muscular 

 fibres around the two orifices contract and close them 

 up, and fluids poured out in great abundance and mixed 

 with the mass of food. In this state it remains without 

 any perceptible alteration, for a space of time which 

 varies exceedingly under different circumstances, though 

 when the digestion is healthy and the food simple, it may 

 be stated at about an hour. After this time, a change 

 commences in that portion in the pyloric part of the 

 stomach lying in contact with the mucous coat by 

 which it loses most of its original properties, and is con- 

 verted into a soft homogeneous substance of a very dif- 

 ferent nature, called chyme. This substance has a 

 greyish appearance, is of a pulpy consistence, has a 

 sweetish as well as slightly sour taste, and changes vege- 

 table infusions to a red. A general description however, 

 can hardly be given, since it varies in some degree accorr 



