THE DOORS. 167 



away a part of the flesh of the side and 

 stomach. When he recovered, an opening 

 was left somewhat like the mouth of a purse, 

 directly from his left side into the stomach. 

 So complete was this artificial mouth, that 

 though it was very tender, food and drink 

 could be introduced into it through a pipe ; and 

 if care were used, it could be done without pain. 

 The contents of the stomach the fluid con-- 

 tents at least which had been swallowed by 

 the mouth, could also be taken out at any time. 



I have seen Alexis once myself; and have 

 witnessed the things which I state. But this 

 is a solitary case ; and I do not know that 

 any other case of the kind ever existed or ever 

 will exist again. 



The particular structure of the mouth 

 curious as it is is so well known, that it does 

 not seem to require a particular description, 

 under this head. When I come to speak of 

 the apartments, and especially of the furniture 

 and employments of the house I live in, I 

 shall have occasion to say more about it. It 

 was only necessary to mention it here as a part 

 of the covering, and for the sake of method. 



