_Hypochlorhydria_ is a diminution in the amount of hydrochloric acid. Since this acid is essential in gastric digestion of proteins, a decrease in its supply diminishes the power of the stomach to digest meat, eggs, etc. Physicians often administer hydrochloric acid about one hour after a meal. It should not immediately follow the meal consisting of part solid food, because it retards salivary digestion. Acid fruits, such as lemonade or egg lemonade, should be given half an hour after the meal instead of at the beginning. Many advocate a diet omitting protein, but since protein foods stimulate the flow of gastric juices, they should _not_ be omitted, but taken less freely. The meals should be at least six hours apart so as to allow time for digestion and to give the stomach rest. [Sidenote: Achlorhydria] When there is an entire absence of hydrochloric acid, as in _achlorhydria_, the stomach, of course, cannot digest proteins and this digestion must be accomplished entirely by the trypsin of the pancreatic juice. The presence of liquefied protein, as beef juice in the stomach, however acts as a stimulus to the gastric juice and is an agency in again starting its flow. The foods should be liquid, so as to pass through the stomach without irritating it. Clear milk must be excluded, because of the action of the rennin in coagulating the casein. This would irritate the stomach. Pancreatinized milk (see page 99) may be used as an article of diet, also milk with limewater, junket, gelatin, cream, butter, bacon, olive oil, gruels, and any foods which will pass through the stomach without change and are digested by the pancreatic juice in the intestines. Bran must be excluded from any cereals. Cereals or any carbohydrates cooked or masticated to a liquid state will pass through the stomach without difficulty and be digested and absorbed in the small intestine. [Sidenote: Dilatation or Prolapsus of the Stomach] Dilatation results from continued overeating (especially when the nerves are weak), or eating when overtired. The muscular walls become so weak that they fail to contract. Peristalsis is likewise weak, and the food, failing to digest promptly, ferments and forms gas. A dilated stomach is enlarged and its weight and weakness cause it to prolapse. In the prolapsed condition the pyloric, or lower orifice of the stomach, is often nearly closed, partly by reason of its position and partly by the weakened folds of the stomach walls. Because of this obstruction to the free emptying of the contents into the duodenum, it is imperative that the food be of the simplest form, thoroughly masticated, and perhaps predigested and concentrated so as to be in as small an amount as possible. A chunk of food could not easily pass through the pylorus.