122 THE FUNCTION OF THE INTESTINES. 



Peculiar extractive matter 2*7 



Matter composed of altered bile, 1 ^ . Q 



resin, animal matter, &c. - J 



Salts b*#s 1'2 



100-0 * 



Besides the gases disengaged from the contents of the canal, 

 at least the stomach contains a portion of air that has been 

 swallowed with the food, and many persons can easily swallow 

 air by itself. Air is perhaps generated occasionally in the womb, 

 and is undoubtedly generated by serous membranes. Emphysema 

 has occurred without any wound of the lungs. I believe, with 

 John Hunter 6 , that the alimentary canal also often secretes 

 gaseous fluids. For mental emotion will suddenly cause extreme 

 discharges of air from the stomach, and the intestines to swell 

 with wind. Want of food fills the stomach with wind. In many 

 diseases the same will occur, although no fermentation or unusual 

 change is discernible in the contents of the canal. 



Air in the serous membranes, or in the cellular, even when 

 introduced, is known to be absorbed. f 



Every one knows that the intestines are usually relieved once 

 in twenty-four hours, but that some little variety occurs in this 

 respect. In cases of extreme abstinence, they of course discharge 

 their contents very rarely, as I mentioned formerly. Heberden, 

 however, mentions a person who naturally had a motion once a 

 month only, and another who had twelve motions every day 

 during thirty years, and then seven every day for seven years, 

 and rather grew fat than otherwise, s Habit has the greatest 

 influence upon defecation. 



Pouteau's young lady, mentioned at page 55., had no stool, 

 he says, for upwards of eight years, although during the last year 

 she ate abundantly of fruit, and drank coffee, milk, and tea, and 

 broth with yolks of eggs : but she had copious greasy sweats. 



d Traitd de Chimie, torn. vii. Traduit par M. Esslinger. 

 e Observations on certain Parts of the minimal Economy. 

 f See Dr. Baillie in Transact, of Society for Improvement of Med. and Surg. 

 Knowledge, vol. i. 



6 Commentarii, p. 14. 



