THE VALUE OF ACID NEUTRALIZATION IN THE TREATMENT OF GASTRIC AND DUODENAL ULCERS

Abstract

The treatment for gastric and duodenal ulcer has long been one of the most disputed subjects in the field of medicine. This situation is due to the fact that no method is entirely satisfactory, and yet all of the various procedures seem to possess some merit. A critical evaluation of their effect is difficult because of the characteristic tendency of the disease toward spontaneous remissions. In the majority of cases, little or no therapy is required to bring about a quiescent period. The difficulty is increased by the lack of any definite objective means of determining when an ulcer has healed, except that of gastroscopy, a procedure not generally available, applicable or safe. The disappearance of the roentgenologic niche is sometimes considered to signify healing, but surgical experience has shown that an active ulcer may be found at operation even after the roentgenologist is no longer able to demonstrate a