194 



STOMACH DIGESTION. 



FIG. 108. Left breast and side 

 (erect position), showing perforation 

 of the walls of the stomach of Alexis 

 St. Martin. 



pale pinkish color, while during active digestion its color is a bright 

 red. This change in color is due to the greatly increased amount 

 of blood present in the blood-vessels of the organ at this time. 



The pyloric portion is specially distinguished by the name 

 antrum pylori, and is that part situated between the pyloric orifice 

 and a band of circular fibers, the transverse band or sphincter aniri 

 pylorici, distant from the orifice about 10 cm. In modern 



physiology this portion of the 

 stomach is invested with much 

 interest, and is referred to on p. 

 201. 



Prior to 1822 the process of 

 stomach digestion was little un- 

 derstood. During that year 

 Alexis St. Martin, a Canadian 

 boatman, eighteen years of age, 

 was injured by the accidental dis- 

 charge of a shot-gun, the muzzle 

 of which was not more than two 

 or three feet from him. In a 

 " Memorial " to the Senate and 

 House of Representatives, Dr. 

 Beaumont, an American surgeon, 



under whose care the patient came, says : " The wound was received 

 just under the left breast, and was supposed at the time to be 

 mortal. A large portion of the side was blown off, the ribs frac- 

 tured, and openings made into the cavities of the chest and abdo- 

 men, through which protruded portions of the lungs and stomach, 

 much lacerated and burnt. . . . The diaphragm was lacerated and 

 a perforation made directly into the cavity of the stomach, through 

 which food was escaping at the time your memorialist was called 

 to his relief." 



When the wound healed there remained in his side a permanent 

 opening nearly 2J cm. in diameter, which communicated with the 

 cavity of the stomach (Fig. 108). Dr. Beaumont, and subsequently 

 others, carried on a series of experiments and observations extend- 

 ing through years, and the present knowledge of stomach digestion 

 is largely based upon this remarkable case. 



After the healing of his wound his health was excellent, and he 

 lived to be eighty-three years of age. 



During the intervals of digestion the mucous membrane of the 

 stomach is pale in color, and is covered with a transparent and 

 viscid mucus which is neutral or alkaline in reaction. This 

 mucus is the product of the epithelium of the mucous membrane. 

 After food has entered the stomach drops of gastric juice appear 

 at the mouths of the glands. 



Quantity of Gastric Juice. The amount of gastric juice 



