Elaboration of Hydrochloric Acid by Gastric Mucosa

Abstract

THE experiments the results of which are indicated below were designed to throw light on the mechanism of hydrochloric acid production in the stomach. In order to evaluate a theory of gastric acid elaboration, it is necessary to know the relative magnitude of the $Q_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$, $Q_{{\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}}$ and Q_HCl of the mucosa and of the oxyntic cells. The maximum | $Q_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ | observed in 144 isolated frog gastric mucosse was 4µl./mgm. dry wt./ hr.¹; the maximum Q_HCl observed in 139 mucosæ was 8 µl./mgm. dry wt./hr.². (Conway and Brady³ have misquoted our results⁴, stating “when Q_HCl exceeded twice $Q_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ with the mucosal sack immersed in bicarbonate saline, the tissue appeared damaged”. In fact it was stated that the tissue was undamaged, and no claim was made that the Q_HCl exceeded twice |$Q_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$|⁴. Also on p. 137, three lines from bottom, “their Department” should read “our Department”.)