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CHAPTER III. 



STUDIES IN DIGESTION AND 

 ABSORPTION. 



The process of secretion of saliva The process of secretion of 

 gastric juice The influence of appetite The influence of bitters 

 and alcohol Movements of the stomach Sensation in the 

 stomach Causes of variations in the hydrochloric acid of gastric 

 juice The physiological effects of gastro-jejunostomy Feeding 

 after gastrostomy The process of secretion of pancreatic juice 

 The bile The absorption of peptonized foods The functions 

 of the large intestine The value of nutrient enemata. 



NO more remarkable discoveries have been made 

 by the modern school of physiologists than 

 those to be related in this chapter. They are of 

 revolutionary importance in physiology, and will in 

 time bear practical fruit in their application to 

 clinical diagnosis and treatment. Probably we do 

 not yet see the true value of our heritage in this 

 department. 



The first question which has now received an answer 

 is this Why do the flow of the salivary, the gastric, 

 and the pancreatic juices bear so definite a relationship 

 to the taking of food ? We know that the mere 

 thought, sight, smell, or taste of some foods calls forth a 

 secretion of saliva. The mischievous errand boy acts 

 on that physiological principle when he shows a lemon 

 to a German band. In the same way, a flow of 

 the other digestive fluids is provoked by taking 

 certain foods. Pawlow has demonstrated in the dog 



