zeogold: Did you know that without saliva, your stomach would digest itself?
Mmm...that's not quite right. Stimulated saliva does contain bicarbonate, but it's function is understood to be to neutralize acids in the mouth produced by bacteria (fighting tooth decay), rather than a primary source for offsetting the hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach lining.
Other cells in the stomach lining produce bicarbonate to help regulate stomach acidity, and also produce mucus as a physical barrier.
In any case, you actually do "digest" your stomach lining despite these buffers, it just constantly is regrowing. Provided the balance of elimination/regrowth stays in balance, you just never notice.