ON DIGESTION. 437 
17. That it is invariably the same substance , modified only by 
admixture with other fluids. 
18. That the motions of the stomach produce a constant 
churning of its contents, and admixture of food and gastric 
juice. 
19. That these motions are in two directions, transversely and 
longitudinally. 
20. That no other fluid produces the same effect on food that 
gastric juice does ; and that it is the only solvent of aliment. 
21. That the action of the stomach and its fluids is the same 
on all lands of diet. 
22. That solid food, of a certain texture, is easier of digestion 
than fluid. 
23. That animal and farinaceous aliments are more easy of 
digestion than vegetable. 
24. That the susceptibility of digestion does not, however, 
depend altogether upon natural or chemical distinctions. 
25. That digestion is facilitated by minuteness of division and 
tenderness of fibre, and retarded by opposite qualities. 
26. That the ultimate principles of aliment are always the same, 
from whatever food they may be obtained. 
27. That chyme is homogeneous , but variable in its colour and 
consistence. 
28. That, towards the latter stages of chymification, it be- 
comes more acid and stimulating , and passes more rapidly from 
the stomach. 
29. That th tinner coat of the stomach is of a pal epink colour, 
varying in its hues, according to its full or empty state. 
30. That, in health, it is sheathed with mucus. 
31. That the appearance of the interior of the stomach, in 
disease , is essentially different from that of its healthy state. 
32. That stimulating condiments are injurious to the healthy 
stomach. 
33. That the use of ardent spirits always produces disease of 
the stomach if persevered in. 
34. That water, ardent spirits, and most other fluids, are not 
affected by the gastric juice, but pass from the stomach soon 
after they have been received. 
35. That the quantity of food generally taken is more than 
the wants of the system require ; and that such excess, if perse- 
vered in, generally produces not only functional aberration, but 
disease of the coats of the stomach. 
36. That bulk as well as nutriment is necessary in the articles 
of diet. 
VOL. IX. 3 M 
