Postmortem examination showed that the anterior and middle part of the stomach were torn obliquely to the extent of five inches.

The tear extended from the smaller toward the greater curvature.

The edges were thin and irregular and presented no marks of disease.

The cavity of the peritoneum was full of half-digested food.

The records of St.
Bartholomew's Hospital, London, contain the account of a man of thirty-four who for two years had been the subject of paroxysmal pain in the stomach.