GASTRIC SECRETION IN FEVER AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Abstract

Studied by the histamine method in 106 febrile patients, there was an av. decrease of gastric acidity to 1/3 normal. The total Cl and the volume of secretion showed a similar but less marked change. The decrease of gastric function was proportional to the height of the fever. Anemia and general physical fitness played no important role. Of 106 patients, 33 (about 8 times the normal incidence) showed achlorhydria. Of 56 patients re-examined in convalescence, 90% recovered normal gastric function soon after the disappearance of fever. The incidence of "permanent" postfebrile achlorhydria was 5%, not much higher than is to be expected in a healthy Chinese population. Infectious diseases are probably not important causes of gastric anacidity. This definite but transitory impairment of the gastric function cannot be explained on the basis of dilution nor can it be entirely attributable to duodenal regurgitation. An hypothesis is suggested in which the pathologic change in the stomach during fever is compared with cloudy swelling in the kidneys. In both instances the functional disturbance tends to be transient.