THE EFFECT OF ATROPINE AND PILOCARPINE UPON THE EMPTYING TIME OF THE HUMAN STOMACH

Abstract

Atropine increases both initial and final emptying times of the normal human stomach. The lengthening of final emptying time is due to 2 delays. One occurs during the first half hour after the meal and the other occurs near the end. Between these 2 delays gastric emptying proceeds at a normal rate. These observations are interpreted as a demonstration of the importance of the vagus nerve in maintaining that gastric tonus and peristalsis necessary for normal emptying. The length of the final emptying time seems to be an indication of the degree of gastric vagal tone. Pilocarpine in most of the subjects favored initial emptying; however, in 10 of the 13 subjects final emptying time was increased from a slight to a moderate degree. For about 2/3 of the emptying, the rate with pilocarpine is as rapid or faster than the normal. The delay in evacuation comes near the end and is considered to be a demonstration of Thomas'' enterogastric reflex.