On the influence of gastric section on gastric secretion.

Resection of the pyloric end of the stomach is followed by a diminution in the hydrochloric secretion of the stomach. Circumscising the stomach in the pyloro-fundic region through the serous, muscular, and submucus coats of the gastric wall, or the excision of an annular segment from the wall of the stomach in this region, does not appear to be followed by a persistent fall in the gastric acidity, but by such relative decrease in acidity as can be demonstrated after other intra-abdominal operations. When these two procedures are combined, by dividing the pyloric end from the fundic portion of the stomach, and the pyloric part is left in the abdomen (See preceding paper) it appears that the pyloric pouch, thus created, continues to secrete acid.

From these observations, it appears (a) that the pyloric portion is active in secretion (as it is generally agreed to be in motility); (b) that this secretory function continues after the section of vagal or vago-sympathetic nerves incorporated within or running upon the stomach wall (as does also the motor function of the pyloric portion after section of these same nerve fibres).