STOMACH

is situated in the upper part of the abdomen on the left side, partially protected by the ribs. It is lined by a mucous membrane, which sccretes a digestive juice, the gastric juice, and slime, or as it is technically called, mucus. The secretion of gastric juice is under the influence of the nervous system, and is stimulated by the presence of food in the stomach. Hence indigestion may arise from disturbance of the nervous system, or from the unsuitable nature of the food eaten. Indigestion, especially if due to the abuse of alcohol or tea, is prone to lead to chronic inflammation, or as it is termed, chronic gastritis, in which much mucus and but little gastric juice is produced, and the food not being digested turns sour. Gastritis requires rest; the dict must be altered. Diluted milk in small SMe at a time should bo taken; a gla of hot water should be taken before meals, and two to four of the bismuth lozenges of the Pharmacopm@ia should be taken after each meal. If neglected, gastritis may lead on to ulcer of the stomach. An ulcer is a wound in the stomach, and is, nece arily, difficult to heal, a to its being constantly irritated by the gastrio juice and by food. It causes most severe pain in the pit of the stomach in front or near the angle of the shoulder blade at the back. This pm is usually felt twenty minutes after food. bear lood, if it occurs, is proof of the presence of an ulcer. It is most common in domestic servants. The treatment should be in medical hands. The stomach may become dilated, either as the result of chronic gastritis, Or from constriction of the pylorus, that is its point of outlet into the intestine. A Mate stomach rae ait by food for several days, and then it may empty itse vomit i several quarts of fermenting food. hike condition is treated by washing out the stomach ba a procedure not nearly so unpleasant as it sounds, e stomach is liable to cancer. This occurs chiefly in the middle-aged. It causes symptoms very similar to those of chronio indigestion or of dilated stomach. Much may be done to give relief in such cases. [Refer to Abdomen, Digestion, Indigestion, Gastric Juice, Drugs.] [s. 413]