Diagnostic evaluation of gastric analysis (test meal) in Hungary

On the basis of information received from 128 medical wards, the frequency of gastric analysis (test meal) used as a clinical diagnostic procedure, the spreading of the different methods and other problems connected with the examination are analysed. In about 3/4 of the institutions the test meal is performed in patients with all kinds of gastric complaint. This incidence decreases to 50% if the X-ray finding is positive. As acid-stimulants caffeine and a moderate dose of histamine are used most frequently. Of the data supplied by the test meal, the value for acid concentration (acidity) is registered by most of the examiners. The authors consider it as suprising that outdated methods such as a qualitative lactic acid assay (47%), isolation of Boas-Oppler's bacillus (25%) and of sarcinas (21%) are still in frequent use. The data are compared to the results of a similar survey made in England.