A further communication on the specificity and action in vitro of gastrotoxin

Abstract

In July, 1904, I laid before the Royal Society a preliminary communication on the production of a gastrotoxic serum. In that communication I stated that the serum, obtained by the injection of the mucous membrane of the stomach of the guinea-pig into the rabbit, was not specific in the true sense of the word; and further, that I was unable to demonstrate any effect of the gastrotoxin upon the gastric glands of the guinea-pig in vitro , although necrosis and ulceration of the mucous membrane of the stomach were produced by injection of the serum into the living animal. By means of more extensive experiments and improved methods I have obtained confirmatory evidence that the action of the serum is not truly specific, and have also been able to demonstrate that a definite effect upon the gastric cells is produced in vitro . I have also succeeded in preparing a gastrotoxic serum by injecting the fresh mucous membrane of human stomach into the rabbit. The present communication is therefore intended as a continuation of my former one.