Vomiting

(võm'it-ing.) [Fr. vomi ement.] (Med.) The act by which Fig. 673. solids and liquids, contained in the VOLUTA MUSIC A. stomach, are ejected by the mouth. V. is the effect of some special irritation of the nerves of the stomach, calling, by reflex action, on the appropriate muscles to expel the contents of the viscus. It is not accomplished solely by the contraction of the stomach, as was for a long time believed. That organ, indeed, a ists in the proce ; but the main cause is the compre ion exerted upon the parietes of the viscus by the diaphragm and abdominal muscles. V. is a symptom common to numerous diseases. At times, it is sympathetic, as in affections of the kidney, uterus, brain, . At others, it is symptomatic, as in gastritis, peritonitis, . [s. 944]