THE EFFECT OF ALKALIS ON GASTRIC SECRETION AND MOTILITY AS MEASURED BY FRACTIONAL GASTRIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The object of this work was to determine by fractional analysis, in a sufficiently large number of persons, two points: (1) whether or not alkalis in addition to their immediate neutralizing effect also produce a secondary rise of acidity greater than that which occurs in a person without their administration; (2) what effect alkalis have on gastric motility. Without extensively quoting the early literature on the subject, it is sufficient to state that there has always been a difference of opinion as to whether alkalis act as a stimulant or depressant to gastric secretion. The defenders of the alkaline Spa treatments held that while at times an alkali might act as a stimulant shortly after taking, the prolonged administration caused a gastric catarrh with associated decreased secretion. Those who believed that alkalis acted only as a depressor of gastric secretion were supported by Pawlow's observation¹ that on a dog, soda