Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-05-23

firm previous theories of the physicians.
1t was found that brandy upon an
empty stomach (half an hour before) has
the effect to temporarily paralze the pros
cess of digestion for period of four hours.
Moreover, its influence upon the stomach
under the circumstances is such as to pre-
vent that organ from recovering its natural
and healthy tone for thirty-six hours after
the brandy is swallowed, when, at the ex-
piration of that time, its restoration to a
healthy tone is indicated by the appears
anse of red patches on the internal coats
Of the stomach, from which minute drops
of blood are seen to exude. (This. is the
result noted after debauch.) Curiously
enough during this interval the appetite is
the least impaired, although the functions
are greatly impeded. The immediate
effect of the brandy is to induce upon the
coat Of the stomach condition either of
inflammation or congestion. The physi-
clans were unable to agree, from appear
ances, which of the two conditions really
existed in this case. If, however, the
brandy be taken with the dinner, or after,
the food prevents its direct contact with
the coat of the stomach, and the result
then is to facilitate the process of diges-
ton, as was frequently proved by observa-
tions which show that food under these
circumstances digests considerably quick
er than it does without this Stimulus
This however, does not prove that brandy
is beneficial as regular concomitant Of
the dinner table. 1t may be we'll guess
toned if it is part Of wisdom to make
such regular and unceasing application
of the whip and spur to horse that is
supposed TO do his best without this sharp
stimulus, though there may be cases of
weak stomachs where very moderate
use of pure brandy might prove adyan-
tageous. But the physicians who have
watched the processes going on in ST.
Martins stomach do not propose to deal
in theories-they are after bold, literal
facts.
Another interesting discovery has been
made By observations of this mans stom-
acb. In looking into the aperture left by
the shot from the gun, the secretion of
the gastric juice has been distinctly seen.
The theory Of the existence Of this curious
digestive agent had long been held by the
faculty, and was indeed so strongly sus.
tanned by reason and by circumstantial
evidence, that it was regarded less as a
theory than as an ascertained fact. 1t
was not, however, until this case Of St.
Martin occurred, that the doctors were
enabled 10 know, from the positive eviden-
ces of their senses, that the so-called gas
trio juice was precisely what it had been
supposed to be. 1t was never before
actually seen, as it ia never produced ex>
cept aa food taken into the stomach re-
quires its presence to perform the work of
digestion; and then it is produced in exact
ly the quantity requisite for the work to
be done. Thus, ifs srpall amount of food
be eaten, this gastric secretion is cores
pondingly small; and if the quantity Of
food is increased, the gastric juice is also
increased in quantity. 1t exudes from the
coats of the stomach as sweat from the
surface ofthe body, and is limpid clear
ness like water. 1t could be seen trick
ling down the inner coat of the stomach,
and has, it is suid, a slightly sweetish
taste. In post mortem examinations this
singular agent is never found; and it was,
as we are informed, never seen before this
hole in the living mans stomach exposed
it to the curious eye of an investigator.
Another fact that we noted while watch
ing the case of st. Martin may prove of
some benefit to invalids, if not to persons
in robust health. The time required to
digest different kinds of food varies with
the character of the food; and some arti-
cIes hitherto supposed to be particularly
easy Of digestion are not found to be so by
the experiments made with this case
Thus, the flesh of as old hen is more
readily assimilated and more quickly dis
posed of than tender chicken And the
same thing is true in regard to beef
The meat of full grown OK or COW di-
gests quicker than veal.
Hundreds Of people have an idea that
game and meat that has been kept up un-
I'll it has almost reached the verge ofputre-
faction is more easily digested than fresh
game or fresh beef. This beliefhas led to
taste that likes or processes to like what
is called the game flavor in woodcock,
venison, &c. But it is seem in this case
that tainted meats or game require longer |
time for digestion than fresh meals. By
a curious process in the stomach, the
tainted meat is seen to undergo very eff |
fective cleaning before the work OF dIges-