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The infusion of Histalog can produce constant maximal stimulation of the gastric acid and volume, without adverse effects. This technique would seem to be an excellent tool for human gastric experimentation. It has been especially useful in our laboratory in the evaluation of gastric inhibitory agents.

No abnormality of exocrine function of the pancreas was found in 10 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eight patients showed abnormal glucose metabolism, attributed to the effects of age, malnutrition, diminished physical activity, and decreased muscle mass.

Nineteen niniature swine were skin-sensitized to 2–4 dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and had a colostomy in the midtransverse colon. All were given DNCB in adhesive paste 3 times weekly for 6 months, through the colostomy. In addition 6 animals received Freund's complete adjuvant, 6 were given E. coli endotoxin, and 4 were given neostigmine 2 times weekly for 6 months. The morphological changes produced in all animals were those of microscopic ulceration and partial glandular destruction. The lamina propria showed a chronic inflammatory infiltrate. The vessels showed perivascular congestion. The adjuvant group seemed to have a more grossly intense lesion. In the neostigmine group, crypt abscesses were found in all pigs, the first production of such lesions in an experimental model.

A maximal dose of Histalog (2.0 mg./kg.) was evaluated as a stimulant for clinical testing of gastric secretion in 131 patients. The tube must be positioned fluoroscopically in the gastric antrum prior to testing—failure to do so results in a significantly reduced recovery of secretion. It is also recommended that continued antral position of the tube be checked fluoroscopicaly toward the end of the test.