The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-02-04
LIVES WITHOUT A STOMACH
WOMAN SURVIVES \ WONDERFUL
OPERATION.
Apparently Enjoys the Best of Health
and Makes No Complaint-Dr Wendt
Draws Some Conclusions.

The opinions of psychologists re-
gardng the functions of the stomach
have been somewhat altered by the
success of a recent rather sensational
surgical operation in which the entire
stomach of the patient was removed.
The subject. Swiss woman, is still
alive and well, and naturally her con
dition has excited interest.
DR.. c. f. Wendt, of New York, says
of the case, which he terms remark
able and unique:"
AT the date of the present writing.
December 9. 1897, over three months
since the operation of total ablation
of the stomach, the woman is still un-
der observation at the county hospi-
tai: but she is to all intents and pur-
poses a well woman. and does her fun
share of the daily work of the ward
On the date of my first visit | found
her in a very cheerful frame of mind,
and quite loquacous.
ION my several examinations of the
patient | was particularly struck by
her ruddy complexion. fair general APP
pearance. clean. moist tongue. moder-
ately full and vigorous pulse, and grn
eral alacrity She informed me that
her appetite was good but that she
was never allowed to feel really hun
gry. She relished her meals and her
taste was unimpaired. The bowels
acted naturally once in twenty-four
hours. Her sleep was normal. She
complained of no pain.
"In word, save for some degree of
emacation, "A noticeably dry skin and
her abdominal cicatriN, the woman at
present offers no apparent departure
from average health. How long she
can survive the non-eNistence of gas
tell? Clinical observation sometimes
rudcly disturbs our most cherished
school taught physiological dogmas.'
DR.. Wendt says that although sew
eral surgeons have recently reported
cases of total removal of the stomach.
these operators have always allowed
some small part to remain, so that this
is the first real case of the kind on
record. Animals have survived com
plete destruction of the stomach. how
ever. so that there was reason to sup
pose that it might not be fatal to a
human being.
The patient. Anna Lands, was a suf-
ferer from a tumor that involved al
most the whole stomach. After the re-
moval of the organ. the oesophagus
was Joined directly to the intestine.
so that food would pass into it as he
fore. Nine days after the operation
the patient was eating milk. eggs, CRU
eI. meat. tea and wine, and she stead
! lily improved An interesting feature
was the occurrence of vomiting, which
most Psychologists have regarded as
proceeding from action of the storn.
ach.
DR.. Wendt draws the following con.
illusions from the results of DR.. Sch
| latter's operation:
/. The human stomach is not a Vita
| organ.
.. The digestive capacity of the hu.
! man stomach has been considerably
overrated.
3. The fluids and solids constituting
an ordinary mixed diet are capable OF
being digested without the aid of the
| human stomach.
A. 4 gain in the weight of the body
may take place in spite of the tota
absence of gastric activity.
;. Typical vomiting may occur with
out a stomach.
6. The general health of a person
need not Immediately electorate OF
account of the removal of the stom
ach.
g. The most important office of tn
human stomach is to act as reservoir
for the reception, preliminary prepar
alton and propulsion of food and Ii
guilds. 1t also fulfils a useful purpos
in regulating the temperature of tn
swallowed solids and liquids.
s. The chemical functions of TIL
human stomach may be completed
and satisfactorily performed by tn
other divisions of the alimentary ca
nal.