ASSESSMENT OF GASTRIC SECRETORY RESPONSES IN RELATION TO PEPTIC ULCER Method of Study and Control Data on Thirty-Nine Normal Dogs

STUDIES on gastric secretory responses in recent years have resulted in the proposal of a number of new operations for the treatment of peptic ulcer. The therapeutic efficiency of these procedures is correlated with reduction in the degree of secretory responses and particularly with the suppression or neutralization of the acid component. Data on gastric secretions following neurogenic and chemical stimulation are therefore important as a guide in the selection and evaluation of the appropriate surgical procedure. Available operations include gastroenterostomy, gastric resection at various levels and removal of components of the autonomic nervous system alone or in combination with one another. Emphasis has been placed on the operation of vagectomy combined with gastroenterostomy, antrectomy, 50% gastric resection, or high subtotal gastrectomy. In addition, several cases of sympathectomized hypertensive patients have been reported recently from this clinic, in which an antrectomy for bleeding duodenal ulcer was performed later. This fortuitous