Abstract
Conclusions
These experiments demonstrate that carbohydrates in the form of starch, protein in the form of casein, and fat in the form of pure cream all leave the stomach of rats at approximately the same time. The rate of emptying time of stomach, small intestine and colon corresponds closely to those found by other observers. Although the emptying times observed by us were approximately the same as those of previous workers, marked differences were noted for the rates of passage of the various foodstuffs in our experiments as compared with others.
The passage of protein through the small intestine of rats is much faster in every instance than fat and only slightly faster than carbohydrate. This is at variance with the findings of the earlier investigators, who stated that proteins pass through the small intestine slowly, fats a little faster and carbohydrates fastest of all.
We believe that the rate of the food column of the different foodstuffs through the small intestine is probably due to the muscular response of this organ. The rate of the emptying time of the stomach seems a negligible factor as it was demonstrated that some of the meal of the different foodstuffs passed through the pylorus at about the same time.
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