Fact of the Day More Information A fistula is basically a hole from the outside of the body into a hallow organ. Over this hole, cows are semi-closed by a flap like cover. What ever the cow is eating is able to be studied right out of the stomach to keep tabs on how well certain things are digested. Upon an upset stomach, relief can be administered instantaneously. Some of these agricultural scientists encourage weary people to see what it feels like. Some consider this animal cruelty. The cow is said to feel no pain and, if not abused, it is only for the cows benefit [source].
The first recorded human fistula comes from Canada in 1822. Alexis St. Martin was blown open while standing close to a musket. Besides loosing ribs and mangling some organs, Alexis stomach was open to the air. The first doctor on the scene, Dr. Beaumont, nursed him back to health and studied the phenomena the entire time. The stomach eventually fixed it self in such a way that it was still open but its contents were being contained and were completing the digestive journey. He lived until 1880 [source].
relatedFAQs: Cow Magnet, Mad Scientists on Mad Cow
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