GASTRIC CONTENTS. 81 



The examinations made of the gastric contents are 

 physical, chemical and microscopical. 



1. Physical examination. 



(a) Measure the amount of contents obtained. More 

 than 40 cc. indicates loss of motor and absorptive power 

 of the stomach wall. 



(b) Note the color, which is normally light yellow or 

 brownish yellow. The presence of blood, bile or much 

 mucus, changes the color. 



(c) Note the odor. If fatty acids as acetic and 

 butyric acids are present, they can readily be detected 

 in this manner. 



(d) Note the amount of mucus. This is increased 

 in nearly all forms of gastric affections, but more par- 

 ticularly so in "chronic" gastritis. The presence of 

 food fragments, portions of mucous membrane and the 

 like, must also be noted. 



2. Chemical examination. 



In a chemical examination of the gastric contents 

 the following reagents will be required. 



Congo red solution. A dilute aqueous solution of 

 Congo red powder of a brick red color. 



Phloroglucin-vanillin solution of Gunzburg. Phloro- 

 glucin 2 grammes, vanillin 1 gramme, absolute alco- 

 hol 30 cc. 



Dimethyl-amido-azo-benzol. .5% alcoholic solution. 



Phenolphthalein. 1% alcoholic solution. 



Alizarin. 1% aqueous solution. 



