408 MATER i A MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



the stomach which is called emesis or vomiting, will be specially 

 described in the next chapter. 



Per contra, the gastric movements may be directly dimi- 

 nished by Diluted Hydrocyanic Acid, Opium and Morphia, 

 Carbonic Acid and all effervescing drinks ; by the Alkalies, 

 which reduce acidity ; as well as indirectly by remedies which 

 soothe the nerves and the vessels, as we have seen. 



6. We have already referred to our influence on the con- 

 tents of the stomach to the food, and to the acidity of the 

 chyme. The reaction may be neutralised or completely changed 

 by Alkalies or Alkaline earths, which are thus antacids. Beyond 

 these, Charcoal absorbs the gaseous products of digestion; 

 whilst Sulphurous Acid, Sulphites and Hyposulphites, Carbolic 

 Acid, Creasote, the Aromatic Oils, and possibly all Bitters and 

 Vegetable Astringents in some degree correct decomposition 

 gastric disinfectants. In this connection mention must be made 

 of many antidotes, which act upon poisons in the stomach. 



7. Action of carminatives. The effects of Aromatic and 

 Pungent Oils of Alcohol, and Ether, in rousing the nerves of the 

 stomach, in increasing the activity of the gastric circulation, in 

 exciting muscular contraction, and in modifying the contents, 

 have been separately described ; and we may add that they 

 probably at the same time relax the cardiac orifice. The result 

 is eructation, and relief of gaseous distention, of cramps and 

 pain, the whole being so striking and complete that these 

 substances have been grouped together under the special name 

 of carminatives (carmino, I soothe). Their effect is, however, 

 more than local. The nervous impressions produced by car- 

 minatives spread even beyond the stomach and its sympathetic 

 ganglia to the cord, medulla, and brain, and reflexly to the 

 heart and vessels, and cause general stimulation, both of the 

 bodily and the mental faculties. Carminatives are thus one 

 form of diffusible stimulants. 



HI. PATHOLOGICAL EELATIONS. 



Derangement of gastric digestion, or dyspepsia, is probably 

 the most common disorder of the human body, and may be 

 taken to illustrate, in a general way, the rational treatment of 

 diseases of the stomach. 



By far the most frequent causes of derangement of the 

 stomach are to be found in the quantity and quality of the 

 food ; in its imperfect mastication and insalivation ; in defi- 

 ciency or in excess of fluids, which dilute the gastric juice and 

 check secretion ; and in the abuse of alcohol. Certain drugs 

 in common use are also apt to cause indigestion, such as 

 Opium, Arsenic, Iron, Digitalis, and Scilla. Organic disease of 



