234 



EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY. 



taken only when there is someone who can devote considerable 

 time every day to the proper care and attention of the animal. A 

 few observations may, however, be made on an animal with a 

 gastric fistula alone. 



Method for Making the Gastric Fistula. 



Through an incision 6-7 c.m. long in the linea alba just below the sternum the 

 stomach wall is caught by a forceps and after pulling it somewhat over to the 



FIG. 69. Stand for holding animal on which fistula operation has been per- 

 formed. (From Tigerstedt's " Practical Physiology".) 



right, the serous coat is attached to the edge of the skin wound by a few discon- 

 tinuous sutures. An incision is then made through all the coats of the stomach 

 wall, bleeding being carefully controlled by ligatures. The incision is just large 

 enough to admit the notched flange of the gastric cannula (Fig. 68). A cromi- 

 cised catgut ligature is now stitched like a purse string a short distance from the 

 edges of the incision and the cannula inserted and tied (not too tightly) in place 

 by the ligature. It is well to apply a second purse string ligature. The operation 

 i s completed by closing the skin wound up to the cannula with discontinuous sutures. 



