Gastric and Pancreatic Secretions of the Newborn. 21 



I found that in almost all cases hydrochloric acid is present in 

 the stomach of these newborn infants whether they are examined 

 one half hour or twenty hours after birth. The hydrochloric acid 

 varies from Yi cu - cm - to about 7 cu. cm., and is not in direct 

 proportion to the age of the child. This hydrochloric acid is not 

 stimulated merely by the passage of the tube, for it was obtained 

 within a minute or two after the catheter was introduced. It, 

 therefore, must have another origin. I believe that it is a reflex 

 due to the sucking of the tube. The longer the catheter is kept 

 in the stomach the more juice is obtained; in one hour 14 cu. cm. 

 was obtained; in an hour and 50 minutes 17 cu. cm. This gastric 

 juice has an acidity on an average of about 50. Pepsin and rennet 

 were also present in considerable amount. 



These facts show that the infant at birth is prepared to digest 

 food. The large amount of hydrochloric acid may be present in 

 order to digest the high percentage of proteid of the colostrum and 

 it may also serve the purpose of a bactericide, for we have found 

 it to possess high bactericidal power. 



The duodenum also was entered by means of the catheter. 

 It can be entered almost as easily and quickly as the stomach in the 

 newborn infant, and the contents aspirated. It was found that 

 in the newborn infant there is very little to be aspirated from the 

 duodenum compared to older infants. In spite of the fact that a 

 large amount of hydrochloric acid is present, this does not seem 

 to stimulate to a proportional degree the flow of the duodenal 

 secretion. However, I have been able by this method to find 

 protease, lipase, and amylase in the duodenum before any food 

 was ingested, and, therefore, can state that the hydrochloric acid 

 is sufficient hormone to stimulate these ferments. Amylase was 

 found with least regularity. Frequently no secretion at all was 

 obtained. In all about 35 tests were undertaken. 



It is of special interest to note that bile was not found in these 

 tests. It was expected that this would be quite otherwise, as the 

 meconium is rich in bile, and we know that bile is found in the 

 gall bladder of the fetus by the fourth month. I have not tested 

 for the presence of the bile salts. Many other problems suggest 

 themselves for investigation by this method; with some of these 

 lam at present occupied. 



