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The Digestive Odyssey of Alexis St. Martin
This chapter explores the remarkable case of Alexis St. Martin, whose gunshot wound created a fistula that allowed for unprecedented studies of digestion. It examines the ethical implications of medical experimentation, particularly the coercive relationship between St. Martin and his physician, while also detailing significant historical advancements in understanding gut health. The narrative underscores the evolution of scientific thought regarding the gut as a 'second brain' and highlights how technological innovations like x-rays transformed the medical landscape.