e of feeling in their bodies; and from any unusual
feeling, perhaps of the slightest kind, they apprehend great danger
and even death itself. In respect to all these feelings and
apprehensions, there is commonly the most obstinate belief and
persuasion." (Quoted in Leared, _On Imperfect Digestion_, p. 106.)

CHAPTER VII.

HOW AUTO-INFECTION AFFECTS INTESTINAL DIGESTION, AND VICE VERSA.

Intestinal indigestion is a more common form of functional disturbance
than is gastric indigestion. It is a well established fact that the
greater portion of the digestive work is done beyond the stomach, in
the duodenum, by the hepatic and pancreatic fluids. The duodenum--very
properly called the _second stomach_--has none of the peculiar
characteristics of a receptacle that receives crude substances--the
office of the stomach. Much greater sensitiveness characterizes the
digestive canal than the stomach; which is accounted for by the fact
that a network of nerves, forming the sympathetic system, surrounds the
bowels. The symptoms of intestinal indigestion are not always clearly
defined and distinguishable from gastric indigestion, especially as the
two are frequently associated.

The cecum, more than any other portion of the digestive canal,
resembles the stomach, and it secretes an acid, albuminous fluid having
considerable solvent properties. It is to be observed that as the cecum
is only three inches in length and two and a half in diameter, and as
its contents are necessarily propelled in opposition to gravity, a
slight casualty will hinder or obstruct the upward movement of the
pultaceous mass of the effete ingesta. The turning point in the
ascending colon affords another ready hindrance to the upward and
onward movement of this mass; and the gases and ancient feces beyond
the turn conduce to further sluggish peristalsis, bringing about more
or less obstruction and reflex irritation of the remaining length of
intestinal canal. Undue retention of the contents of the cecum, and the
disturbance and obstruction of the duodenum by the pressure incident to
the distention of the colon with feces and gases, lead to congestion,
inflammation and occasionally to ulceration of the mucous membrane in
various parts of the intestinal tube.

This condition of affairs increases the occlusion (closing) of the
bowels, but makes very easy indeed the entrance and propagation of
micro-organisms in the sub-mucous coat of the