The gastric phase of gastric secretion is mediated by the hormone gastrin which is elaborated by the antrum of the stomach. The exact cell of origin of this powerful hormone has not been determined; there are, however, many indications that intramural neural tissue plays an important role. Zeljong and Savich, working in Pavlov's laboratory, demonstrated that cocaine applied to the antral mucosa inhibited this hormonal mechanism.1 This finding has been confirmed,2 and other topical anesthetic agents without the vasoconstrictor properties of cocaine have a similar effect.3 In addition topically applied atropine inhibits,2 while topical acetylcholine potentiates, the gastrin mechanism.4 Baugh and co-workers stripped the seromuscular layer from the antrum, substituting the seromuscular coat of the colon.5 This "hybrid antrum" responded normally to chemical stimuli, although the threshold for stimulation was increased. Since this dissection plane leaves the submucosa and submucous autonomic plexus of Meissner