[The problem of functional achlorhydria]

It was examined whether in anatomically intact specific adenic parenchyma of the gastric mucosa achlorhydria can persist after maximal stimulation or whether there is support to the conception of functional achlorhydria ("functional anacidity") furthermore. Relating to the anatomic structure of the gastric mucosa secretion of chloric acid was studied after submaximal and maximal stimulation in 101 cases. It was shown that there is no correlation between the morphology and the secretion of chloric acid in anatomically intact gastric mucosa after submaximal stimulation. In 18 cases out of 28 only the secretion of acid was in correspondence to the histological condition. In two cases out of 37 with atrophic gastric mucosa diverging results were found. After maximal stimulation with histamine chloride and pentagastrine one out of two cases with histologically intact mucosa showed normochlorhydria after seven days, whereas the second case remained achlorhydric. These results must be interpreted as functional achlorhydria. Submaximal stimulation of gastric secretion as it is practised today does not allow corresponding consequences concerning the morphological condition of the gastric mucosa. Discrepant results are found especially in histologically normal mucosa. There is more congruence in atrophic gastric mucosa.