Alexis St. Martin's Gunshot Wound Quiz & Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

According to the article, what caused Alexis St. Martin's stomach wound?

He was accidentally shot (correct)

He was stabbed

He fell off a cliff

He was hit by a car

What happened to the edges of Alexis St. Martin's stomach as it healed?

They formed scar tissue

They fused with his belly skin (correct)

They became inflamed

They detached from his body

Why did William Beaumont take Alexis St. Martin on as a house servant?

To provide him with community support

To help him find a new job

To teach him a trade

To conduct scientific experiments on him (correct)

Which theory assumed that digestion couldn't be explained in mere mechanical or chemical terms?

Vitalism theory Signup and view all the answers

When did Beaumont start his first official experiment?

August 1, 1825 Signup and view all the answers

What did Beaumont want to figure out with his experiment?

Whether indigestion was caused by eating too many different foods at one meal Signup and view all the answers

Which organ did the musket shot leave a hole in?

Stomach Signup and view all the answers

What did the walls of St. Martin's stomach adhere to?

Abdomen Signup and view all the answers

What did St. Martin's stomach grow to prevent food from escaping?

A valve-like flap of skin Signup and view all the answers

What did Beaumont use to stop the orifice of St. Martin's stomach?

Raw beef Signup and view all the answers

Who was Alexis St. Martin?

A patient with a hole in his stomach who was experimented on Signup and view all the answers

What did Dr. William Beaumont discover about digestion?

Digestion is chemical Signup and view all the answers

How did Dr. William Beaumont view Alexis St. Martin?

As a worthless individual Signup and view all the answers

How did Dr. William Beaumont keep Alexis St. Martin close at hand for his experiments?

By offering him a job as a chore boy Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Army surgeon stationed at Fort Mackinac?

William Beaumont Signup and view all the answers

What did William Beaumont discover about digestion?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What did William Beaumont determine about gastric juices?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

How did Alexis St. Martin's wound result in a gastric fistula?

The tissue around the opening attached itself to the tissue in St. Martin's side Signup and view all the answers

During the experiments, William Beaumont observed that St. Martin's stomach did not have an acid taste until it was actively working to digest food. What did Beaumont do to discover this?

He licked St. Martin's empty stomach Signup and view all the answers

What did William Beaumont do to St. Martin's stomach wound to create a permanent gastric fistula?

He attached the edge of the hole in the stomach to the edge of the hole in the skin Signup and view all the answers

How many experiments did William Beaumont perform on St. Martin over the course of 10 years?

200 experiments Signup and view all the answers

Why did St. Martin allow the experiments to be conducted on him?

Because he was illiterate and signed a contract to work as a servant Signup and view all the answers

During their time together, St. Martin and Beaumont were alone together for long periods at a time, even on Christmas Day. From Beaumont’s records, we can surmise that their relationship didn’t flourish. St. Martin was often angry and impatient, which affected his digestion. Why did St. Martin offer his stomach to Beaumont for experiments?

He was wretchedly poor and needed the money. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Beaumont try to lure St. Martin to his home in St. Louis for more experiments?

To exploit St. Martin for financial gain. Signup and view all the answers

What accusation was made against Beaumont during a trial for murder?

He drilled the hole in the patient's head just to see what was inside. Signup and view all the answers

How did St. Martin and Beaumont's relationship end?

They never saw each other again after 1834. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Alexis St. Martin's Wound and Healing

Alexis St. Martin sustained a stomach wound from a musket shot.
As the wound healed, the edges of St. Martin's stomach adhered to surrounding tissue, leading to unique digestive phenomena.

William Beaumont's Role

Beaumont took St. Martin on as a house servant to have easier access for experiments related to digestion.
The theory of vitalism suggested that digestion could not be solely explained through mechanical or chemical processes.

Experiments and Discoveries

Beaumont began his first official experiment shortly after St. Martin's injury.
Beaumont aimed to understand the processes of digestion, including the role of gastric juices.
The musket shot left a hole in St. Martin's stomach, creating a condition ideal for study.

Gastric Fistula and Observations

St. Martin developed a gastric fistula, where the wound created a permanent opening in the stomach.
Beaumont noted that St. Martin's stomach lacked an acid taste until food was being digested, prompting further investigation.

Techniques and Duration of Study

To maintain St. Martin's gastric fistula, Beaumont used a stopper to prevent food from escaping.
Over 10 years, Beaumont performed over 200 experiments on St. Martin.

Relationship Dynamics

St. Martin permitted the experiments to continue as he wanted to understand his condition and possibly due to the nature of their relationship.
There were long periods during which St. Martin and Beaumont were alone, even on significant occasions like Christmas, but their relationship did not flourish due to St. Martin's frustration and impatience.

Accusations and Conclusion of Relations

Beaumont faced accusations during a trial related to murder, which put pressure on his reputation.
Their relationship ultimately soured, leading to St. Martin's departure from Beaumont.

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Description

Test your knowledge on Alexis St. Martin and William Beaumont by answering questions about St. Martin's stomach wound, the healing process, Beaumont's reasons for taking St. Martin as a house servant, theories of digestion, and the timeline of Beaumont's experiments.

This Man’s Gunshot Wound Gave Scientists a Window Into Digestion