STRUCTURE AND OFFICE OF THE STOMACH. 7 



the stomach having been much less frequently noticed than 

 was naturally to be expected. 



To come at the real form of the stomach, it must be seen Should be ex- 

 recently after death, before its muscles have been disturbed ; after dwth°" 

 in this state a gentle and gradual di«tension with air shows 

 both the permanent divisions of its cavity, if there be any, 

 in the best possible manner, and also any occasional muscu- 

 lar contractions, that are employed during life. 



The internal membrane is only to be met with in a natural ^^^ internal 

 state recently after death, since the secretion from the solvent acted uporTat. 

 glands frequently acts upon it, and destroys the surface, and ^Qr death. 

 the slightest degree of putrefaction, which comes on very 

 quickly in this cavity, prevents the nicer distinctions of struc- 

 ture from being detected. 



To make an accurate examination of the different parts Best method 

 of this membrane, it is necessary, that its folds should be Jhe^n^erna"^ 

 extended, and the mucus commonly found adhering to it membrane. 

 removed; which is most readily effected, and with the least 

 disturbance, by inverting the stomach and gradually dis- 

 tending it ; and in this state only can the relative situation 

 of the different structures be ascertained with exactness. 



In examining stomachs, witli the attention directed to Often obscured 

 all the circumstances above mentioned, it is found, that, in ^ ^^'c^s. 

 a recent state, the internal membrane is often completely 

 obscured by mucus, which in many instances is inspissated, 

 and puts on the appearance of a cuticular covering, from 

 which it is with difficulty distinguished ; in others it resem- 

 bles a fine villous surface, so very tenacious is its nature ; 

 and where the membrane is irregular it adheres with unusual 

 firmness. 



The interual membrane of most stomachs is found to be Much more 

 considerably more extensive than any of the other co<^ts, general than 

 and much more so than it appears to be on a superficial ex- the other coats, 

 ^mination; for it is not only thrown into longitudinal and 

 transverse folds, but is subdivided by slight fissures into a 

 number of small portions varying in shape and size in dif- 

 ferent parts of the same stomach, but generally smallest 

 near the pylorus. This appearance was at first mistaken for 

 the real internal structure of the membrane; but when in- 

 verted and distended, so ^s to be put upon the stretch, all 



these 



