Supradiaphragmatic Section of the Vagus Nerves

Physiological Basis of Vagotomy

“…As might be expected, another effect of vagotomy is to lower both the total volume and the acidity of the gastric secretion. Thornton et al (1946) andGrimson et al (1946) have both drawn attention to these changes in the night fasting juice, which are similar to those previously described by Hartzell in the fractional test meal. I have shown that the free hydrochloric acid secreted during a fractional meal test is reduced to one-third of the pre-operative quantity, but that the general character of the curve remains otherwise unaltered (Beattie, 1948).…”

The effect of vagotomy and pyloroplasty on the maximal acid response to histamine

“…Moore, Chapman, Schulz, and Jones (1946) found the response to histamine was unchanged. Thornton, Storer, and Dragstedt (1946), using the same procedure with a dosage of histamine dihydrochloride of 0. 1 mg./kg.…”