WHY ACID STOMACHS ARE DANGEROUS.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12804, 30 May 1914, Page 2

WHY ACID STOMACHS ARE DANGEROUS.

Scientific Reports, May:—Acid in the stomach is dangerous and frequently fatal, because acid from its corrosive nature has a natural tendency to destroy the mucous lining of the stomach itself. No one intentionally swallows hydrochloric acid, but it is often present in large quantities as the result of food fermentation in the stomach resulting from the chemical action, which so frequently follows the eating of the daintiest and most tasty foods or the indulgence in any form of alcoholic stimulants, including beer, wine, liqueurs, etc. This fermentation causes pain, uneasiness and discomfort because of the acid which burns like a red-hot iron, and the formation of gas which distends the stomach, causing shortness of breath and palpitation of the heart. The trouble being entirely due to the unnatural condition of stomach contents, and not in any way to the fault of the stomach itself, physicians have adopted with marvellous su<-<-ess the plan of neutralising the) acid and stopping the fermentation by means flf half-a-teaspoonful of simple l.isurated magnesia taken in a little water immediately after eating or whenever disi-omfort is felt. The immediate relief following the use of Bisurated Magnesia is striking proof of the contention of medical men that failure to digest food properly is almost invariably due to the acid condition of food • c.ntents, and in no way the fault of t-'O stomach or vital organs. i