Copy 2

Experiments and observations on the gastric juice, and the physiology of digestion / By William Beaumont. Reprinted from the Plattsburgh edition, with notes by Andrew Combe.

  • Beaumont, William, 1785-1853.
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Experiments and observations on the gastric juice, and the physiology of digestion / By William Beaumont. Reprinted from the Plattsburgh edition, with notes by Andrew Combe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    39/356 (page 11)
    No sickness nor unusual irritation of the stomach, not even the slightest nausea, was manifest during the whole time ; and after the ‘fourth week, the appetite became | good, digestion regular, the alvine evacuations natural, and all the functions of the system perfect and natural. _ By the adhesion of the sides of the protruded portions of the stomach to the pleura costalis and the external wound, a free exit was afforded to the contents of that organ, and effusion into the abdominal cavity was thereby prevented. Cicatrization and contraction of the external wound commenced on the fifth week ; the stomach became more firmly attached to the pleura and intercostals, by its ex- ternal coats ; but shewed not the least disposition to close its orifice ; this (the orifice) terminated as if by a natu- ral boundary, and left the perforation, resembling, in all but a sphincter, the natural anus, with a slight prolapsus. ‘Whenever the wound was dressed, the contents of the stomach would flow out, in proportion to the quantity recently taken. If the stomach happened to be empty, or nearly so, a partial inversion would take place, unless prevented by the application of the finger. Frequently in consequence of the derangement of the dressing, the inverted part would be found of the size of a hen’s egg. No difficulty, however, was experienced in reducing it by gentle pressure with the finger, or a sponge wet with cold water, neither of which produced the least pain. The annexed figure represents the protruded portion. AAAAA, are the folds or ruge of the inner surface of