Abstract
The acid curve obtained from a fractional analysis of an ordinary test meal is at present in a stage of reinterpretation. This new interpretation is based on Boldyreff's theory about the automatic regulation of the acidity in the stomach. 1 Clinically this theory is being supported chiefly by work from Guy's Hospital (Bolton and Goodhart; 2 Baird, Campbell and Hern; 3 Ryle 4 ). The chief point in the interpretation is that the total chlorides of the gastric content represent a true expression of the acid production in the stomach. The difference between the curve expressing the free hydrochloric acid and the total chloride curve, therefore, according to this theory represents the extent of neutralization of acid either by combining with protein or by neutralization with regurgitated alkaline duodenal content, particularly pancreatic juice. The value of this theory evidently depends upon several factors. One important point to be ascertained is whether in the pure gastric juice chlorides are present in other forms than HCl. Other analyses indicating a fair agreement between hydrochloric acid and total chlorides are not entirely satisfactory in this connection. Schoumow-Simanowsky, 6 for instance, used litmus as indicator in her titration for free acid, Rosemann 7 used phenolphthalein.
We have determined the total chlorides and the free hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice produced after subcutaneous histamine injection (Lim, Matheson and Schlapp 5 ). We have used normal individuals as well as hospital patients. The standard dose of histamine has been three milligrams ergamine (Burroughs Wellcome). The stomach was first carefully washed out and emptied. Samples were withdrawn every fifteen minutes following the injection of the histamine. Dimethyl-amino-azobenzene was used as indicator in determining the free acid.
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