CLINICAL STUDIES OF GASTRIC FUNCTION

Abstract

Some time ago we described a method¹ for the simultaneous determination in man, following a standard stimulus, of the volume of gastric secretion, the pH of the gastric juice and the motility of the stomach. In subsequent papers, studies on various phases of gastric function carried out by means of this method were reported. The present communication summarizes our various observations, and includes some further studies which have not previously been described. METHOD The method is briefly as follows: The subject should take no food during the twelve hours preceding the test. If possible, he should be under "basal" conditions; i. e., resting quietly in bed. A duodenal tube is passed to a distance which will allow the tip to reach the most dependent part of the stomach. The fasting juice is withdrawn at five minute intervals for fifteen or twenty minutes. Then, without attracting the patient's attention, 50