Is a ‘Cast Iron Stomach’ Really That Strong?

Authors

  • Alice Cooper-Dunn The Centre for Interdisciplinary Science, University of Leicester
  • Richard Walker The Centre for Interdisciplinary Science, University of Leicester

Keywords:

Idiom, Chemistry, Corrosion, Cast iron stomach

Abstract

The term ‘cast iron stomach’ is reserved for people who never seem to succumb to the ill effects of bad food or drink. This paper assesses the credibility of having a cast iron stomach with respect to corrosion caused by gastric juices leading to potentially fatal symptoms. This point was taken to be when the cast iron stomach retained only 63% of its original mass whereby it is reasoned the stomach would rupture and likely lead to gastric juices leaking into the peritoneum. Through modelling the stomach to be a hollow sphere of stainless steel the time taken for corrosion to lead to gastric juices was found to be 34 days on average.

References

Idiomsite.com, (2015). IdiomSite.com - Find out the meanings of common sayings. Available: http://www.idiomsite.com/ [Accessed 12/03/2015].

Savarino, V., Mela, G.S., Scalabrini, P., Sumberaz, A., Fera, G. & Celle, G. (1988) Twenty-four hour study of intragastric acidity in duodenal ulcer patients and normal subjects using continuous intraluminal pH-metry. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 33, pp. 1077–1080.

Rapaccini, G., Aliotta, A., Pompili, M., Grattagliano, A., Anti, M., Merlino, B. & Gambassi, G. (1988). Gastric wall thickness in normal and neoplastic subjects: A prospective study performed by abdominal ultrasound. Gastrointestinal Radiology, 13, 1, pp. 197– 199.

Emsdiasum.com (2015) Razor Blades, Scapels and Saws. Available: http://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/products/preparation/blades.aspx [Accessed 12/03/2015].

Li, P.K., Spittler, C., Taylor, C.W., Sponseller, D. & Chung, R.S. (1997) In vitro effects of simulated gastric juice on swallowed metal objects: implications for practical management. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 46, 2, pp.152–155.

NHS.uk (2015). Stomach ulcer - Complications - NHS Choices. Available: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Peptic-ulcer/Pages/Complications.aspx [Accessed 12/03/2015].

Downloads

How to Cite

Cooper-Dunn, A., & Walker, R. (2017). Is a ‘Cast Iron Stomach’ Really That Strong?. Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics, 4. Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/jist/article/view/780

Issue

Section

Articles