Chinese Journal of Physiology

48 H.C, HOU anp R.K.S. LIM

Since the conversion from reversed-Pavlov- to a Heidenhain-pouch chiefly or only involves the enteric plexuses, it seems fair to allow that the diminution of the basal secretion should be attributed to the loss of enteric connexions.

Referring again to table I, it will be noted that the Heidenhainpouch has a still smaller secretory range (under basal conditions) than that exhibited by the three types of pouches described above. The range does not exceed 5 mg HCl per hour in the series observed, while more important still is that about 72 per cent of all observations show less than 1 mg HCl secretion. ;

In the auto-transplanted (completely denervated) pouch the greatest number of observations is also included in the groups below 1 mg HCl per hour (80 per cent), but the range is larger than in the Heidenhainpouch there being records of basal secretion up to 20 mg HCl. The majority of the observations below 1 mg HCl, indicate either no acid secretion or so little that it may be taken as zero. The average basal secretion of the completely denervated pouch is not different from the average of the Heidenhain-pouch. ,

It may be mentioned here that the basal secretion of the Bickel (Heidenhain-pouch with section of post-ganglionic sympathetic fibres) and the coeliac-ectomised (Heidenhain-pouch with removal of the sympathetic cell stations, viz., coeliac ganglia) pouch is of the same order as that exhibited by the auto-transplanted-pouch.

The conclusion may safely be drawn that the sympathetic exerts no particular influence on the basal secretion.

Now, this being so and granting that the vagus may possibly inhibit the basal secretion, comparison of the first three groups with intact enteric connexions, viz., the fistula, the reversed and the normal Pavlovpouches with the Heidenhain- and the completely denervated pouches, which have no enteric connexions, shows that not only is the frequency of low secretory rates (i.e., below 1 gm HCl per hour) much higher in the latter than in the former, but that the order of the frequency alone (viz., 831-47 versus 72-80) divides the various types of pouches into two natural groups. There can be no doubt of the significance of the difference between the auto-transplanted and the pouches with enteric connexions,

It is thus clearly indicated that the enteric plexuses constitute what is equivalent to a “conducting” or perhaps ‘‘co-ordinating” system such that any part which is cut off from the system no longer keeps pace with the activity of the main organ.