[Methodological aspects of gastric acid examination]

The aim of the present work was to study gastric acid secretion in control subjects and in gastric and duodenal ulcer patients and to evaluate sex, age, body weight, blood group, cigarette smoking and the intake of H2-blockers in the 24 hours preceding gastric acid analysis. The results obtained seem to indicate that 6 micrograms/kg b.w./i.m. Pentagastrin is the best stimulus and that basal secretion may be assessed in thirty minutes, without altering the BAO value. Factors such as cigarette-smoking and H2-blockers intake on the one hand and body weight and male sex on the other influence gastric juice output and should therefore be considered in interpreting the results.