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.

    343/356 (page 315)
    ing from. this cause, particularly in young men exposed to the temptations of drinking, and naturally prone to the use of stimulants. The other conditions which Dr Beaumont observed to be most influential in diminishing the secretion of the gastric juice were, bodily fatigue, strong mental emo- tions, such as anger, and febrile excitement. Hence the obvious necessity of avoiding full meals under such cir- cumstances, and never eating a second meal till the sto- mach has had time to recover from the labour of digest- ing the one preceding ; for it requires an interval of re- pose just as the muscles do. In febrile attacks, the coats of the stomach were often observed by Dr Beaumont to present a somewhat dry and inflamed appearance, followed sometimes by an erup- tion of whitish vesicles. In this state the gastric juice is generally sparingly secreted and somewhat altered in quality. Hence the impaired power of digestion and the - generally impaired appetite in fever, and the folly of giv- ing solid food, which serves only to increase the irrita- tion, and impair still farther the already diminished gastric secretion. In many slight fits of indigestion appearances of this kind presented themselves, and were easily remov- ed by a short abstinence and a little laxative medicine. Medical men are often ridiculed for the universality of their recommendation to their patients to live low. The appearances mentioned above added to the fact, that, as a general rule, mankind eat too much, explain the frequent necessity of the advice, and experience shews the benefit of following it. Purgatives are in common use during