Displacement of the Stomach.—When emaciation has caused relaxa tion of the tissues of the body, the expansibility of the ligaments of the internal organs usually diminishes also. All tissues (especially the muscular tissue) expand, and lose the ability to contract vigorously. The condition is quite similar to that of slackened rubber bands. Relaxation of the muscular walls of the stomach and intestine causes these organs, which are generally filled, to follow the law of gravity—that is, they are displaced downward (see Fig. 396). For the symptoms and treatment of this condition, see Dilatation of the Stomach.
The stomach may be displaced for years without causing any material disturbances. It is always a long-lasting, but never dangerous, condition.
To cure it requires careful regulation of nutrition, and husbanding of the strength of the body. Plenty of rest and a nourishing and fattening diet are advisable. The diet had best be regulated and supervised by a physician. Massage, which tends to strengthen the musculature of the stomach, is like wise beneficial. - Electricity and water-treatment subserve the same purpose.
Hyperacidity of the Stomach.—The disease designated by this name is characterised by the secretion of an abnormally large quantity of acid in the gastric juice. The affection is either the result of a chronic inflamma tion of the mucous membrane of the stomach, causing the secretion of an increased quantity of juice from its proliferated glands ; or it is due to a nervous disturbance. The latter is the more frequent cause. Owing to an abnormally strong irritation of the nerves of the stomach, there is an increased secretion of gastric juice. This is poured out into the stomach, so that this organ, instead of being occasionally empty, is always overfilled. Furthermore, the contents of the stomach become greatly diluted.
The patients complain especially of sour belchings, heartburn, acid vomiting and stomach-ache. The pain in the stomach is especially severe when the stomach is empty, because in that case the excess of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice is not utilised for the digestion of food, but flows freely over the internal surface of the stomach, where it acts very much like a corrosive poison.
The treatment of hyperacidity of the stomach consists in careful regu lation of the diet, washing of the stomach, the administration of purges, and of medicines which will combine with, and neutralise. the acid, etc. The affection is usually curable in a comparatively short time. In the nervous cases, psychic treatment (psychotherateutics) is a valuable adjunct. The
patient should cultivate a healthy philosophy of living, eat small meals fre quently, and keep his mind free from all thoughts concerning the stomach or its vagaries.
Nervous Diseases of the Stomach.—The stomach is subject to quite a number of nervous affections, the more important of which \\ill be briefly discussed in the following : 1. Nervous dyspepsia is an affection which occurs only in connection with the ingestion of food, about fifteen minutes to an hour after a meal, and irrespective of whether solid or liquid food had been partaken of. Pres sure or pain in front of the stomach, nausea, eructation, and vomiting alternate constantly. The symptoms are very changeable. Constipation is usually present. Other symptoms of nervous irritability manifest themselves, freakish in their occurrences and changes.
2. Nervous hyperacidity is characterised by an excessive secretion of free hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice, caused by abnormal irritation of the nerves supplying the membrane of the stomach. See Hyperacidity of the Stomach.
3. Nervous eructations and vomiting are annoying symptoms which may occur without the presence of any specific affection of the stomach, They are quite independent of the ingestion of food, since they may occur even on an empty stomach. The constant belching of air and gases may become extremely troublesome.
The treatment of nervous affections of the stomach presupposes attention to the primary nervous debility. These disorders have greatly increased during the last few decades, apace with the general increase in cases of neurasthenia.
The exact regulation of the diet and of the patient's mode of living must be left to the attending physician. The treatment must not be too formal, but should be thoroughly adapted to the individuality of the patient. Physicians treating such patients should be Nvell trained in psycho therapeutics.
Pains in the Stomach.—These are symptoms of various gastric and in many cases no clue is offered as to the nature of the affection. The pains may be very slight, or they may increase to the most violent spasmodic disturbances ; they may pass off rapidly, or they may last through an entire day ; they may recur periodically, or they may remain constant. They may occur as a result of the ingestion of food, usually fifteen minutes to an hour after a meal ; or they may arise on an empty stomach, disappearing when food is partaken of. -A diagnosis of the causative disorder depends upon the manner in which the pains occur, and their treatment must necessarily be governed by the cause.