Determinations were made of the hydrogen ion concentration and of the amylase and trypsin activity of forty-nine specimens of gastric contents obtained, as aseptically as possible, by stomach tube from a series of normal infants and of those convalescent from diarrhea. In addition, aerobic cultures of each specimen were made on plates of blood agar and Teague's medium. The methods used have been described elsewhere.1 The infants convalescent from diarrhea were gaining in weight, but still had from two to eight semi-formed stools daily.
FACTORS WHICH MAY AFFECT THE REACTION OF THE GASTRIC CONTENTS
1. The Presence of Saliva or Duodenal Contents.—The amounts of amylase and trypsin in these forty-nine specimens of gastric contents were determined in order to ascertain whether they were contaminated with saliva or duodenal contents, for pure gastric secretion probably does not contain either of