98 





newly precipitated by the acetous acid, and it floated in a tenacious liquid 

 of the colour of common broth*. 



It follows, from the experiments performed at the Ecole de Medicine, 

 on these half digested substances, and on the same before their admission 

 into the stomach, that the changes which they undergo, consist in the in- 

 crease of gelatine, in the formation of a substance which has the appear- 

 ance of fibrine, without having all its qualities, in a greater proportion of 

 muriate and phosphate of soda, as well as of phosphate of lime. 



This patient was unable to sleep, till she had emptied her stomach, 

 which she cleared by swallowing a pint of infusion of chamomile. In the 

 morning, there was seen in the empty stomach a small quantity of a ropy- 

 frothy fluid, like saliva. It did not turn vegetable blues to a green or 

 red colour, was not homogeneous, but exhibited particles, of some de- 

 gree of consistence, among the more fluid parts, and even albuminous 

 flakes completely opaque. The experiments performed on this fluid, 

 showed that it bore a considerable analogy*4o saliva, which, however, is 

 rather more liable to putrefaction. 



The vermicular motion by which the stomach cleared itself of its con- 

 tents, took place in two different, but not in opposite directions, the one 

 pressing the food towards the fistulous opening, the other towards the 

 pylorus, through which the smaller quantity was allowed to pass. 



On opening the body, it was found, that the fistula extended from the 

 cartilage of the seventh left rib, as high as the osseous termination of the 

 sixth ; its edges were rounded, and from three to four lines in thickness; 

 they were covered with a thin moist skin, of a red colour, and similar to 

 that of the lips. The peritoneal coat of the stomach adhered so firmly 

 to the peritoneum lining the fore part of the abdomen, around the open- 

 ing, that the line of adhesion would notbe observed. The opening was 



* Dr. Prout has made several experiments in order to ascertain the chemical com- 

 position of the chyme, from which he obtained the following results : 



No. 1. Chyme of a dog fed on vegetable food. Composed of a semi-fluid, opake, yel- 

 lowish white part, containing another portion of similar colour, but of firmer consist- 

 ence mixed with it. Spec. grav. 1.056. It showed no traces of a free acid, or alkali, 

 but coagulated milk completely, when assisted by a gentle heat. 



No. 3. Chyme of a dog 1 fed on animal food. This was more thick and viscid than 

 No. 1. and its colour was more inclining; to red. Spec. Grav. 1.022. It showed no 

 traces of a free acid, or alkali, nor did it coagulate milk, even when assisted by the 

 most favourable circumstances. 



On being subjected to analysis, these two specimen's of chyme were found to con- 

 sist of 



F. The saline matters were obtained by incineration, and consisted chiefly of the mu- 

 riates, sulphates, and phosphates. Copland. 



