Andrew B. Rivers

Studies of pepsin in human gastric juice

It is obvious from this work that measurements of concentration of pepsin in the gastric juice have no prognostiic value.

The double histamine test as an aid in the study of gastric secretory function.

First, it is suggested that the double histamine test might be useful in obtaining information, not only regarding the maximal potentiality of acid and pepsin secretion of gastric cells, but also regarding the maintenance of increased secretory rates over longer periods of time. Unquestionably, this information is important. Second, by means of this test it seems possible to test with greater accuracy the effect of test substances on gastric chemistry. Third, a review of the results obtained in the double histamine test suggested the probability that the subcutaneous injection of histamine results not only in a washing out of the peptic glands, but actually in a stimulation of the chief cells to increased activity.

A comparison of gastric acidity among men and women suffering from duodenal ulcer as determined by fractional analysis of gastric contents after injection of histamine.

A comparison of the gastric acidity of men and women suffering from duodenal ulcer shows that the male patients have much higher values than the female patients for free hydrochloric acid and total acid in response to the injection of histamine. The incidence of very high values, that is, equaling or exceeding 100 c.c. of tenth-normal sodium hydroxide, is greater for the series of male patients than it is for the female patients. The higher incidence of hyperacidity among the men may help to explain the greater tendency to intractability of duodenal ulcer among men. The gastric acidity of women suffering from peptic ulcer is usually not abnormal. Neurogenic causes, on the other hand, are usually very apparent among women who have duodenal ulcer. The utilization of this information is obviously clinically important in determining the type and intensity of treatment of duodenal ulcer.

Arationale for the treatment of peptic ulcer

1. There are undoubtedly several interesting factors which are responsible for the genesis, reactivation and chronicity of peptic ulcer. 2. The most important of these factors are traumatization of local tissue, erosion made possible by any means which reduces the defensive reaction of tissue and certain systemic factors of which neurogenic influences are the most important. 3. Anyrationale for treatment of peptic ulcer must recognize the importance of all potential causes and direct therapeutic considerations toward all of them. Treatment must be sufficiently flexible so that consideration is given not only to the three factors mentioned before, in a general way, but also toward that factor which can frequently be shown to be the predominant one in a particular case. 4. Individual exacerbations are merely breakdowns in the cycle of peptic ulcer. The program of treatment must, therefore, be a prophylatic one, directing special attention toward prevention of disturbances in tissues, in gastric chemism, and in the nervous system of the patient, even during asymptomatic periods.

MUCIN IN THE TREATMENT OF PEPTIC ULCER ASSOCIATED WITH RENAL AND HEPATIC DISEASE

Excerpt The usefulness of mucin in the treatment of peptic ulcer has been widely discussed for several years. The efficacy of this substance as a therapeutic agent is assumed to depend largely on i...