This case illustrates the classical features of chronic peptic ulceration, in the era prior to the discovery of its major cause - infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Chronic infection of the stomach by this organism induces active chronic inflammation, which weakens the mucosal resistance to the digestive forces of acid and pepsin. Bleeding due to erosion of the ulcer into an artery is the most common life-threatening complication of peptic ulceration. Although less common, rupture of the ulcer, with spillage of gastric contents into the peritoneal cavity, has a higher mortality rate.