HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION OF THE DUODENAL CONTENTS UNDER FASTING CONDITIONS IN NORMAL PERSONS AND IN PATIENTS WITH DUODENAL ULCER: A COMPARATIVE STUDY 1

Abstract

A rough inverse relation exists between the gastric secretory activity and the pH of the duodenal contents of normal persons. This relation is not shown by persons with duodenal ulcer. The pH was lower on the avg., reached lower levels and remained there longer in patients with duodenal ulcer than in normal persons. The more highly acid conditions of the duodenal contents in patients with duodenal ulcer appear to be due to larger quantities of acid gastric juice entering the duodenum; to a relative, if not an absolute, deficiency of neutralizing and diluting fluid; and to a disturbance of neutralizing and diluting mechanism indicated by delayed appearance of amber colored duodenal contents following the entrance of acid gastric contents into the duodenum.