REGULATION OF THE PANCREATIC SECRETION. 231 



it is absent. As the pancreatic secretion is probably in- 

 fluenced by appetite in the same way as the stomach, we see 

 an additional reason for .recognizing its medical importance. 

 The influence of the appetite upon the secretion of the gastric 

 juice contributes also to our understanding of the beneficent 

 effects which follow the feeding of a patient with a "weak" 

 stomach at frequent intervals and only small amounts at a 

 time. Under these circumstances the appetite juice, rich in 

 ferments, recurs several times and digestion is furthered in 

 consequence. 



We are also in a position to understand now the good effects 

 of condiments and bitters. Pharmacologists have looked in 

 vain for a direct secretory effect of these substances upon 

 the stomach and pancreas. Every-day observation, however, 

 seems to support indisputably the fact that these substances 

 increase the appetite. If this be true, we have arrived at an 

 explanation of the good effects following their moderate use, 

 for to increase appetite is to increase gastric and pancreatic 

 secretion. 1 We can recognize also the relation which appetite 

 and gastric secretion bear to each other. Quite contrary 

 to the generally accepted idea that the presence of gastric 

 juice in the stomach is the cause of appetite, we must say that 

 gastric secretion is its consequence. 



It is necessary to revise our ideas of the usefulness of meat 

 soups, meat extracts, meat juices, etc. Few medical men to- 

 day are not acquainted with the valuelessness of the first two 

 from a nutritive standpoint. But since they excite a secre- 

 tion of gastric juice, even in the absence of appetite, they are 

 eminently useful, for they can in this way be employed to 

 bring about the digestion of food which is introduced into 

 the stomach subsequently. Because of this fact soups ful- 

 fil a good function when employed at an ordinary meal, for 

 they help to maintain a secretion of digestive juice which has 

 been inaugurated by the appetite. 



1 See PAWLOW : Work of the Digestive Glands. Translated by THOMP- 

 SON, London, 1902, p. 138 et seq. 



