Effect of nervous excitation on acid secretion in horses

Nervous excitation was induced by various means in horses provided with a g astric cannula. Insulin hypoglycaemia profoundly inhibited the basal acid o utput and volume secreted from the stomach. No clear effect on acid secreti on was noted after administration of bethanechol, as the acid output was co vered by the copious secretion of saliva. Atropine almost abolished the bas al acid output. Sensoric stimulation by teasing caused a slight but not Sig nificant increase in the total acid output. These data suggest that choline rgic excitation might play a role in the stimulation of both volume and aci d secretion in the horse. The inhibitory effect seen on these two parameter s alter insulin hypoglycaemia may hypothetically be ascribed to inhibitory impulses carried in peptide neurones of the vagal nerves or to inhibitory i mpulses in adrenergic nerves acting directly or indirectly on the parietal cells.