GASTRIC ABSORPTION

Abstract

The author considers, in relation to the methods used, absorption studies with water, acids, alcohols, alkaloids, carbohydrates, fats, proteins and protein cleavage products, gases, dyes, iron, and miscellaneous substances, and concludes that" while the stomach is definitely not an absorptive organ in the same sense as the intestine and cannot be considered of especial importance in supplying the nutritional needs of the normal organism, its absorptive ability, particularly as regards substances physiologically active in minute quantities, has been grossly underestimated. Investigations into the relationship of chemical and physical structure to gastric absorption should yield rich rewards in the increased knowledge concerning allergenic phenomena, toxicology and rapidly effective, oral therapeutics.".