The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-08-05
Diseases Of the Stomach, o. Dyspepsia
what is it 2
BY DIR. v. CLARENCE PRICE

the stomach They have been so informed
fatulence, acidity, sinking faintness, and
sensation at the pit of the stomach, which
they cannot fully describe, they think it GER
tainly disease of the stomach, and more es-
pecially if it be attended with nausea or yom-
lifting. An opinion may be formed upou any
subject from statements made by others, yet
an acquaintance with the true facts in the
case may induce change Of such opinions.
What are the facts regarding this complaint {?
Us it reallylth stomach which has become
diseased, or does it arise from some other
source? Let us investigate it calmly, and up
on reasonable grounds. Where is the stom-
-ach situated? It's form somewhat resembles
az alembic or retort, the largest part being
on the left side, between the left lobe of the
liver and side, then passing under the liver,
terminates in the small intestines near the
centre of the body, which in medical language
is called the pylorus. The location of the
stomach, therefore, precludes the possibility
of the unpleasant sensation, as faintness fat
ulence, acidity, &C., being disease of the
stomach, as some suppose. The parts where
these sensations are exberienced is the loca-
ton of the small intestines, and why such af
fections should be felt in the small intestines
we shall undertake to explain.
'Sour7aeSs or Acidity-The principal constit-
uents of the gastric juice which is formed by
the mucous or lining membrane of the stom-
ach, is muriatic acid; this muriatic acid dis
solves into small particles the food taken in.
to the stomach, after which the food passes
from the stomach through the pylorus into
the small intestines, where it meets with the
bile, formed from the liver. When the bile is
OF healthy character, it contains a LARGE
quantity of alkaline compounds, the alkali
predominating in such quantities as to be
found in an uncombined state. This alkali
unites with the muriatic acid of the gastric
juice, and neutralizes it, forming with it salts
Of muriate of Soda, ammonia, and potass,.
which are somewhat apurgative. When the
liver becomes diseased, it cannot produce
healthy bile. The bile may be thick or Wis
cid, producing costiveness, gall-stones, &c.
At other times it is thin and of an acrid char
actcr, so much so, that were it possible to
place it upon your hand, it would form sore.
The acrid character of the bile accounts for
the faintdess and sinking feelings, experienc-
ed just below the pit of the stomach. The
acidity is occasioned by the bile having lost
It's alkaline properties by which the acidity
of the gastric juice cannot be neutralized.
Sometimes this thin and acrid bile exists in
such quantities as to regurgitate from the
small intestines into the stomach, and vom-
ting follows; andif at the same time the
bile being sufficiently irritating to excite in
iammation, the patient will have frequen at
tacks of violent pains. sense of twisting or
gripping, or cholera morbus. FlatuIenee is
occasioned by the decomposition of the bile
by which carbonic acid gas is disengaged-
Dyspepsia, SO called, is therefore exclusively
a disease of the liver, and although relief may
in some instances be afforded to the distress
which many experience, by the usual prac-
tice, yet no permanent benefit can take place
until the liver is restored to healthy action.
Tho bile is one of the most essential fluids of
the whole animal economy, and that fluid
most likely to become depraved. It is form
ed by the liver from the venous blood, is al
ways more or less charged with the unhealthy
materials generated in the system by the waste
which animal matter is continually undergo
ing.
The number of persons in this community
laboring under disease Of the liver are very
great; there are but few who are free from it
and yet many little suspect that disease of
that organ is, the true character of their indis-
position. 1'S
SalloaOmesS Of the Skin is in consequence of
the bile having become decomposed ann rem
dered thin, by which it becomes capable of
being absorbed into the blood, giving it yell
low tinge and eyinces its presence sometimes
by dark yellowish spots upon the face and
neck. When the bile is thin and acrid, and
the blood loaded with it, such irritation and
Inflammation often arises as to produce can
1er, erysipelas, humors, and not unfrequent-
ly fevers, as bilious fever, ague and fever,
&c.; the patient feels weak and debilitated.
This Inflammation often progresses Gf neg
Ilected) until the spleen becomes AFFECTED and
pain is felt in the side. The heart becomes
weak, and pain and palpitations are often felt
in that region. The liver itself often becomes
SO weak that by the leastexertion, as going
up stairs. or rising hill, the blood is thrown
into the liverwith such force as to cause it to
enlarge, and the patient experiences diff
Guilty in breathing until the blood has had
time to pass from the liver. This state of dis
ease frequently progresses to liberation of the
liver itself, and other parts of the system,
which from any cause may have become weak
and the circulation of the blood mpeded
giving time for the deposition of diseased
matter. Headache, dizziness, momentary
loss of sight, pain in the side, sinking all gone
sensations, waterbrash, heartburn, sour storn.