Digestive Action of Human Gastric Juice

1. The digestive capacity of human gastric juice, adjusted to pH 1.6-1.7, has been measured by perfusion of the cat's esophagus. 2. The gastric secretions of patients with duodenal ulcer, patients in the early postoperative period, and acutely ill patients showed significantly increased necrotizing effects on the esophagus as compared with controls. Gastric secretions from patients with gastric cancer and benign gastric ulcer showed no such increased digestive activity. 3. Peptic activity measured in vitro was significantly increased in duodenal ulcer patients and patients in the postoperative period. The mean pH values were significantly lower than control values in duodenal and gastric ulcer patients, postoperative patients and acutely ill patients.