THE RELATION OF THE SIZE OF THE MEAL TO THE EMPTYING TIME OF THE HUMAN STOMACH

Abstract

The gastric emptying time was determined fluoroscopically in 6 healthy young [male] subjects. The normal gastric emptying time was ascertained by using a standard meal consisting of: 15 grams of Quaker Farina, 1 gram of NaCl and 50 gms. of BaSO4. A meal twice the size of the standard meal was then given. The gastric emptying-time was prolonged 16.83% in 5 of the 6 subjects. When a meal 3 times the size of the standard meal was given the gastric emptying time was prolonged 38.33% again in 5 of the 6 subjects. One subject was refractory; a large meal left the stomach as rapidly as did a small one. The results of the exps. suggest that the increased amount of food causes a distension of the stomach which stimulates it to more effective contractions. The results also lend experimental evidence that the onset of hunger contractions in the majority of people does not appear as soon after a large meal as it does after a small one.