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Dilatation of the Stomach.This condition of dilatation may result from any one of several causes, but is usually associated with dyspepsia or chronic inflam mation of the stomach. The condition may exist in a dyspeptic patient without exciting his suspicions, or those even of the attend ing physician; for unless the dilatation become excessive the symp toms are essentially those of dyspepsia. Symptoms.-The symptoms which have been mentioned as characteristic of dyspepsia are usually present in dilatation of the stomach.. In addition there may be a decided and persistent promi nence over the region of the stomach, and extending downward in the abdomen. By tapping gently upon this prominence, a resonant, drum-like sound will be heard, indicating distension of the organ with gas. If the patient take a glass of water, and the body be gently shaken, a splashing sound may be heard. The food collects in large quantities in this dilated cavity, occasioning a constant sense of uneasiness, which is relieved every few days by vomiting. The ejected matter often gives signs of putrefaction, and consists of the imperfectly digested food as well as of much thick mucus from the stomach. In consequence of the imperfect digestion the patient is poorly nourished and often becomes quite emaciated; he suffers extreme inconvenience from the constant dis tension of the abdomen and frequent escape of gas from the stom ach. At times the patient gets into the habit, or rather the stomach acquires the independent habit of expelling food and liquids with out any premonitory signs, causing the individual much inconven ience and annoyance. Treatment.-The regulation of the patient's diet and habits, already described in connection with dyspepsia, is an important measure in the treatment of this affection also. But something more is necessary here, since even if it be possible to cure the dyspepsia, the stomach remains dilated, and the result will be accu mulation of food and a return of the symptoms as before. The only satisfactory method of treatment for this condition consists in regular and thorough washing out of the stomach. This can be accomplished very readily by the use of the elastic stomach tube, already described, whereby the contents of the stomach can be removed, the accumulation of undigested food prevented, and the stretching of the stomach by the formation of gas avoided. An individual suffering from this complaint can readily learn to intro duce the tube himself, and to wash out the stomach without any assistance. For this purpose it is desirable to use first lu'kewarm water; the quantity to be poured into the stomach at once varies according to the amount of dilatation present, from a quart to a gallon ; in general terms it may be said that the amount of water poured into the stomach through the tube should be just sufficient to cause a feeling of distension in that organ. After the stomach has been rinsed out with warm water, it may be washed with a solution of the sulphite of sodium, half an ounce of which may be dissolved in a pint of water fbr that purpose. At the beginning of the treatment it may be necessary to wash the stomach every day; but if care be taken to regulate the diet, if the patient will be content to live upon milk, eggs, and liquid food taken in small quantities at short intervals, it may soon be possible to discontinue the use of the stomach tube, or at least employ it but once in three or four days. It may be necessary to continue the treatment for months, especially in those cases in which the disease has' lasted for a long time; improvement can always be obtained, though an actual cure cannot be predicted unless the dilatation of the stomach has occurred very recently. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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