ON THE PERMEABILITY OF THE STOMACH MUCOSA FOR ACIDS AND SOME OTHER SUBSTANCES

1. Solutions approximately isotonic with blood of strong and weak acids, several salts, glucose, and glycine were introduced in the resting stomachs of cats. The concentration and volume changes were recorded. 2. It was found that the stomach mucosa was permeable to the majority of the ions tested. There was also a permeability in the opposite direction from the blood (mucosa) to the stomach content, particularly of alkali chlorides. Poorly permeable substances were glucose, glycine, and sodium iodate. Pure weak acids such as acetic acid penetrated very rapidly. 3. The electrolyte concentration changes in the stomach content (or gastric juice) are pictured as an exchange diffusion; for instance, the hydrogen ions of an acid are exchanged against alkali ions of the mucosa or blood. 4. It is pointed out that the concept of the mucosa as an ion permeable membrane could be used as the foundation of a "diffusion theory," which can explain the acidity and chloride variations of the gastric juice without postulating neutralizing or diluting secretions.