STRUCtURE AND OFFICE OF THE STOMACff. |5 



of curnivorous aniraals. From tins it would appear, that 



many parts of vegetables are as easily digested as animal 



substances, and require the same organs for that purpose; 



but others again require a particular preparation, without 



which they cannot be converted into chyle ; of these last 



the principal are the grasses, which the human stomach is Grasses not dU 



unable to digest. gestiblebyit. 



The human stomach is divided into a cardiac and pyloric Divided into 

 portion, by a muscular contraction similar to those of other *° ^ "^ ^^'^* 

 animals ; and as this circumstance has not before been taken 

 notice of, it may be necessary to be more particular in de- 

 scribing it. 



The first instance, in which this muscular contraction was First instance 

 observed in the human stomach, was in a woman, who died of it observed. 

 in consequence of being burnt. She had been unable to take 

 much nourishment for several days previous to her death. 

 The stomach was found empty, and was taken out of the 

 body at a very early period after death. It was carefully in- 

 verted to expose its internal surface, and gently distended 

 with air. The appearance it put on has been already de- 

 scribed. The contraction was so permanent, that after the 

 stomach had been kept in water for several days in an in- 

 verted state, and at different times distended with air, the 

 appearance was not altogether destroyed. 



Smce that time I have taken every opportunity of exa- General: 

 mining the human stomach recently after death, and find 

 that this contraction in a greater or less degree is very gene- 

 rally met with. The appearance which it puts on varies : but varies in 

 sometimes it resembles that of the ass, so that this effect is ^^PP^^-rance. 

 not produced by a particular band of muscular fibres, but 

 arises from the muscular coat in the middle portion of the 

 stomach being thrown into action : and this for a greater or 

 leas extent, according to circumstances. When this part of 

 the stomach is exam^ied by dissection, the muscular fibres 

 are not to be distinguished from the rest. 



If the body be examined so late as 24 hours after death. Seldom observ- 



this appearance is rarely met with, which accounts for its not *^'^ ^* ^^^'^^ 

 i-ir-i -ii-i ' alter death. 



navmg before been particularly noticed. 



Perrault found a contraction somewhat similar in a lion's Lion's stomach 



stomach, which appeared to him extraordinary, as it was similar, 



only 



