REMOVAL OF THE HUMAN STOMACH. 215 



we may have imbibed from lectures and text-books, the woman 

 under observation had repeated attacks of ordinary nausea, retch- 

 ing, and vomiting. We must needs conclude, therefore, that the 

 role of the stomach (i.e., its antiperistaltic efficacy) in this direction 

 has been very much overrated. While the vomited substances 

 showed an acid reaction, this was not due to the presence of free 

 hydrochloric acid. 



" In view of the fact that the patient ejected as much as thirty 

 ounces at one time, it seems reasonable to suppose that the remain- 

 ing portion of the duodenum may have already begun to show 

 distention sufficient to produce a sort of compensatory receptacle 

 for food perhaps nature's attempt in the direction of the new 

 formation of a stomach. 



" In endeavoring to explain vomiting without a stomach, we 

 should remember that the act itself is far from being a simple 

 process. It is due to nervous action on a complex motor appa- 

 ratus, consisting of pharynx, esophagus, stomach, diaphragm, and 

 abdominal muscles. 



" It is not surprising, therefore, to have witnessed in this 

 woman an ordinary attack of bilious vomiting superinduced by 

 a mere physical disturbance." 



Conclusions by Dr. E. C. Wendt. " While it would be mani- 

 festly unfair to indulge in sweeping generalizations on the strength 

 of this single case, so bodly rescued and ably described by Dr. 

 Schlatter, it seems at least justifiable to formulate the following 

 conclusions : 



" 1. The human stomach is not a vital organ. 



" 2. The digestive capacity of the human stomach has been 

 considerably overrated. 



" 3. The fluids and solids constituting an ordinary mixed diet 

 are capable of complete digestion and assimilation without the aid 

 of the human stomach. 



" 4. A gain in the weight of the body may take place in spite 

 of the total absence of gastric activity. 



" 5. Typical vomiting may occur without a stomach. 



"6. The general health of a person need not immediately 

 deteriorate on account of removal of the stomach. 



" 7. The most important office of the human stomach is to 

 act as a reservoir for the reception, preliminary preparation, 

 and propulsion of food and fluids. It also fulfils a useful pur- 

 pose in regulating the temperature of swallowed solids and 

 liquids. 



" 8. The chemical functions of the human stomach may be 

 completely and satisfactorily performed by the other divisions of 

 the alimentary canal. 



" 9. Gastric juice is hostile to the development of many micro- 

 organisms. 



" 10. The free acid of normal gastric secretions has no power 



