Investigations on the Electrolyte Content of Gastric Juice

Abstract

Summary. 1. A brief presentation is given of different factors affecting the composition of the gastric, juice. 2. The results of a series of analyses of gastric juice are reported, the gastric juice in question being secreted by the isolated fundus in cats under the influence of histamine. The investigations are focused on the changes in concentration of the electrolytes of the gastric juice, accompanying fluctuations of the rate of secretion. 3. The concentrations of hydrochloric acid and total chloride rise with increasing rate of secretion; the contents of neutral chloride diminish at the same time, without however falling much below 20 milli‐equiv./liter. 4. The ratio between the potassium and the sodium concentrations is a function of the concentration of total chloride. 5. The concentrations of potassium and ‐ especially ‐ of sodium decrease when the rate of secretion increases. 6. With H eidenhain ‐P avlov's theory regarding the acidity regulation as a starting point, an attempt is made to estimate the composition of the primary hydrochloric acid secretion; in all probability this secretion contains a not insignificant amount of potassium chloride. 7. After a treatment of the data in the light of different theories, the conclusion is reached that it is hardly possible to maintain the thesis of the constancy of the primary hydrochloric acid secretion in its strictest sense.