One hundred twenty-two ulcer patients and 30 wives of ulcer patients were interviewed in an effort to explore knowledge and beliefs that might be pertinent to self-care. The most common belief about the cause of ulcers was that they were of emotional origin. While most respondents reported knowledge of an association between ulcer conditions and "acid," they usually conceived of acids as coming from foods. Accordingly, few respondents conceived of the rationale of the therapeutic and preventive programs in terms of acid neutralization. Rather, the most common beliefs were that antacid medications coat the stomach and that anticholinergics serve as sedatives. With respect to the processes involved in the healing of ulcers, respondents seemed to reason by analogy from what they know about the healing of sores on the surface of the body. Thus, many patients mentioned scab formation and were concerned that rough foods would interfere with healing by knocking off the scab or scratching "the thin "skin" that forms over an ulcer." Most patients believed that ulcers do not heal completely, and correspondingly, most expected the illness to recur. While misconceptions and erroneous beliefs were prevalent, they were not related to intelligence or to educational level. However, it was suggested that some of the beliefs found to be most prevalent may be inconsistent with adherence to a long-term regimen.