of the Stomach. 227 



■niodic, and of course the fibres themselves are debilita- 

 ted. 



In other instances, a poAverfuI torpor of the stomach 

 takes place, and the contractions of the muscular fibres 

 are so feeble, that the alimentary mass, even when in a 

 state of rapid fermentation, and already highly offensive 

 and sickening, remains as a dead weight, incapable for a 

 time of being thrown off. There is so little excitability 

 left, that even .this unnatural and offensive stimulus will 

 not oc-casion vomiting. This state of the stomach I have 

 often witnessed, and in such persons, v/hen the stomach 

 is free from this fermenting mass, powerful emetics will 

 have little more effect, as I know from repeated trial. 

 Neither is there in such cases, suiicicnt strength remain- 

 ing in the muscular fibres, to force the alimentary mass 

 through the p3'lorus, except m a very slow and imperfect 

 manner. I have frequently known it to remain many 

 hours and even days upon, the stomach, after it should 

 have been thrown off. 



That the other coats are similarly affected appears 

 probable, froin the fact that such an intimate connection 

 subsists between them, that we can hardly conceive of 

 the one being disordered, without producing the like ef- 

 fect upon the other. Analogy lends some aid in support 

 of this sus;2;estiom Thus when one eve is afflicted w^ith 

 pain, or inflammation, or permanent debility, the other is 

 often in a little time affected in a similar manner, and ap- 

 parently from no other cause, than the intimate connex- 

 ion or sympathy which exists between the two. Is it not 

 reasonable to believe that the connexion subsisting be- 

 tween the coats of the stomach is far more intimate than 

 between the eyes ? Should it be said that it is difficult to 

 <;onGeive how a membranous eoat should become tjie sub- 

 ject of debility, I answer, that it is equally difficult, pre- 

 vious to experience, to conceive how a membrane, Avhich 

 is usually apparently insensible, should be capable of in- 

 flammation, and when inflamed should be sensible to a 

 very exquisite degree. That thi.s often occurs, no one 

 will deny. 



That the blood vessels, and their appendages the se- 

 •creting vessels, partake of the debility under considera- 



