Studies on the Gastric Function by Telemetering Endo-Radio-Capsule

Clinical Application of a pH Measuring Capsule

Abstract

I have obtained the following results by the clinical use of a radiocapsule for intragastric pH measurement.
1) The pH value of gastric juice was between 1 and 7 in the healthy persons, but the low pH value was found in the majority of peptic ulcer patients, on the other hand, in the most gastric carcinoma patients, the pH value was high.
2) The gastric juice showing the pH value of below 4 was found to contain free hydrochloric acid. I calculated the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach juice secreted in one minute from the alkalitest curve, in which free hydrochloric acid was neutralized with sodium bicarbonate. This concentration had no correlation to the organic changes of the stomach, but the higher the pH value of the gastric juice was, the lower the hydrochloric acid concentration was. I suppose that this test is more valuable to examine the acid-secretion function of the stomach rather than the organic changes of it.
3) Considerable cases of the peptic ulcer operated upon by the Billroth-II gastrectomy showed below 4 in the pH value of the remnant stomach within several weeks postoperatively, but the pH value of all cases was found above 4 after several months.
4) When the remnant stomach showing above 4 in the pH value was stimulated with subcutaneous injection of 0.5mg. of histamine, the pH value became below 4 in 7 cases out of 16. This implies the matter; some remnant stomach have ability to produce hydrochloric acid if stimulated with histamine, even though no acid under the normal condition.