Stomach

Stomach. [DIGESTION.] Diseases of the Stomach: Gastritis. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach may be due to the ingestion of poispnons or irritant substances or of unwholesome food, or to abuse of alcohol; and may occur in association with diseases of other organs, particularly of the heart and liver. The chief symptoms of ordinary chronic gastric catarrh are pain with tenderness on pressure, foul and coated toung, headache, flatulence, nausea, slight rise of temperature, and disturbance of the bowels. Treatment consists mainly in regulation of the diet and in the administration of tonic remedies; it is, of course, of primary importance to deal with the cause of the malady, if it can be ascertained. (The subject of indigestion is dealt with under that head.) Ulcer of the Stomach. A disease which is much more common in women than in men; it is often associated with a condition of anaemia. The symptoms of the disease are ordinary dyspeptic troubles and more particularly pain, which comes on a short time after taking food, and which is usually followed by attacks of vomlting, the vomit in most instances at one or other period of the disease containing blood (haematemesis). In cases of gastric ulcer there is always the risk of perforation, with escape of the contents of the stomach into Lhe peritoneal cavity; should this event occur, sudden pain and collapse, followed by peritonitis, supervene. Regulation of diet is the main item in the treatment of the disease, and when anaemia is present the appropriate remedies for that condition are administered. Subnitrate of bismuth is a drug of considerable value in relieving the pain and vomiting. Cancer of the stomach usually affects the pyloric end of the viscus, and is commonly of the variety known as scirrhus; the chief symptoms are vomiting, digestive troubles, wasting, and the presence of a tumour which can be felt through the abdominal wall. For vomiting of blood, see HAEMATEMESIS.