A deficient quantity of circulating blood volume is known to derange the function of most organ systems significantly. Much less is known, however, of the changes that follow an increase in the circulating blood volume. Approximately two years ago, in an effort to define the humoral characteristics of antral regulation of gastric secretion, experiments involving cross-circulation between paired dogs were reported.2,3 In the course of this effort it was observed that as blood volume shifted between the cross-circulating animals there was an immediate and profound change in gastric secretion. The relationship was direct; that is, as blood volume increased, so did the quantity of gastric secretion.
There is a paucity of recorded information which can be brought to bear on this point, since gastric function has not generally been measured in the hypervolemic state. There are reports which indicate that both hemoconcentration and polycythemia may affect gastric secretion; indeed,