This can be established only by exclusion of the three other possibilities outlined above. A primarily automatic mechanism might still be influenced by the blood, by the extrinsic nerves, and by local reflexes from the gastric mucosa. The periodicity of the automatic activity might be due, not to a parallel periodicity in any essential stimulus, but to some peculiarity in the metabolism of the stomach developed as a special adaptation, similar to periodicity in other organs. The absence of the hunger contractions during digestion, or possibly the modification of the hunger contractions into the movements of digestion, must, in this case, be due to specific inhibitory or regulatory impulses from the gastric mucosa.

Mr. V. is admirably adapted for determining the relation of stimulation of the gastric mucosa to the hunger movements, as the fistula is large enough to permit the balloon and connecting tube, and a tube for the introduction of liquids and gases, to be placed in the stomach simultaneously. The liquids and gases can be introduced with or without the man's knowledge. Furthermore, the contents of the stomach (fluid and gas) can be withdrawn for analysis at any stage of the hunger movements and without any material disturbance. But the results first obtained on Mr. V. have been abundantly confirmed on other individuals. This can be done by simply introducing a small tube into the stomach in addition to the balloon with tube connection, so that substances can be put into the stomach without touching the mouth or esophagus.