The perpendicular position of the body favors a decided gravitation of the abdominal and pelvic organs. This gravitative effect being a constant one, many methods, both surgical and mechanical, have been devised to hold in approximate and relative position certain organs and tissues that may be prolapsed. But it is well known that outside of a certain few instances where surgical measures are clearly indicated the prevalent use of braces, bandages, supports and the like are usually poor makeshifts. The one great feature in these cases is that tonicity to organs and supporting muscles and tissues is more or less impaired. The tissue atony may vary from mere weakness to actual tearing and separating of the fibres. The indications in the cases about to be described are to stimulate a lowered nerve supply and to increase a lessened blood supply; if this can be accomplished, supporting muscles, ligaments and other tissues will be able to restore the prolapsed organs to normal positions, thus improving functions and eliminating disease symptoms. In discussing the prolapse of the following organs, perhaps it should be noted here that all of the abdominal organs may be prolapsed as a whole. The intestines, stomach, liver, kidneys, etc., may actually prolapse together. This is more apt to occur in persons whose abdominal walls are thin and flabby. In women pregnancy is a common cause. When the abdominal organs have gravitated, the pelvic organs, also, are very likely to be disturbed and displaced; in fact, the pelvic organs are frequently disordered this way. Prolapse and Dilatation of the Stomach Dilatation of the stomach is a much more common and serious affection than prolapse of the stomach, although usually the two are associated. Prolapse, or ptosis, of the stomach means simply a downward displacement of the organ. This is apt to take place in those cases where all of the abdominal organs have gravitated. There is invariably some dilatation of the organ as well. Weakness of the abdominal walls and of the supports of the stomach constitute the principal =causes= of the prolapse. Spinal deviations that impinge or obstruct the nerve strands (or obstruct the blood and lymph supply to these strands) to the supporting stomach tissues is the most frequent cause of the ailment. General debilitating diseases, as anemia, cancer, etc., are indirect causes of weakened organs with consequent displacements. In dilatation of the stomach the condition may be either acute or chronic. The former is found where immense amounts of food or drink have been introduced.