THE RELATIVE SENSITIVITY OF THE MUCOSAL AND PERITONEAL SURFACES OF GUINEA-PIG ILEUM TO HISTAMINE, ACETYLCHOLINE AND SPECIFIC ANTIGENS

Abstract

Everted and non-everted strips of sensitized and of normal guinea-pigs (after being suspended in a balanced salt soln.) were variously tested with histamine, acetylcholine and specific antigens. Reactions, in all cases occurred only when the stimulating substances were brought in contact with the peritoneal surface. Apparently such chemical substances cannot diffuse through the relatively thick mucosal layer and hence are prevented from reaching the sites responsible for muscle activation.