GASTROLITHS
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Gastroliths are hard, dense, heavy bodies found in the stomachs of river crabs, used in traditional medicine as an antacid and calcium supplement.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
GASTROLITHS, cancer stones, or "cancer eyes". The producing animal is the river crab Astacus fluviatilis L., family Astacida. Found in the USSR and throughout Western Europe. Cancer stones are obtained almost exclusively in the southern USSR in the lower Dnieper and in Astrakhan from the crab stomachs, in which they form before molting. After molting, the stones disappear. Cancer stones are hard, dense, heavy bodies, white in color, round in shape, convex on one side and concave on the other, 5-12 mm in diameter and 2-6 mm in thickness. They have no smell or taste. They have a concentric internal structure. They consist of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate (up to 85%) and chitin. They are used in powder form for excessive development of acids in the stomach, for heartburn to neutralize acids, and also as an additive to tooth powders, as they contain calcium salts. Cancer stones, or "cancer eyes," were of great importance in our folk medicine in the past.
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Cite this page
“GASTROLITHS.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/gastroliths/