Medical specialty dealing with
digestion and the digestive system. In the 17th century Jan Baptista van
Helmont conducted the first scientific studies in the field;
William Beaumont published his own observations in 1833. Lavage (washing out the stomach) and
endoscopy were developed in the 19th century, and endoscopy and
X rays with a
contrast medium were first used to visualize the stomach and digestive organs in the 1890s. Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat disorders of the stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas, including
ulcers,
tumours, inflammatory diseases (including
ulcerative colitis and
ileitis), and rectal disorders.
For more information on gastroenterology, visit Britannica.com.