THE relationship between the vagus nerves and the humoral phase of gastric secretion has been a subject of considerable interest and controversy in recent years. Burstall and Schofield1 found a small but detectable increase in Heidenhain pouch secretion in response to both psychic stimulation and insulin hypoglycemia utilizing special methods to elute the pouch contents. Oberhelman et al2 demonstrated a definite increase in free acid concentration in Heidenhain pouch secretion in response to insulin hypoglycemia after excluding the innervated gastric antrum from the acid gastric secretion of the body and fundus of the stomach. They attributed this effect to the release of gastrin brought about by peristaltic activity of the antrum induced by vagalstimulation.
Chapman et al3 confirmed these findings in a similar preparation. In addition, they observed that antroneurolysis abolished the secretory response without affecting the motility response. Pe Thein and Schofield4 found similar acid