MANY therapeutic measures have been used in the treatment of peptic ulcer, but the rationale of all effective treatment has been based upon the decrease or elimination of acid-peptic juice. Antacids are effective if given often enough and in large enough amounts. It is usually necessary to give a patient 1-4 gm, or more, of an effective antacid in powder or tablet form or 15 to 30 cc of a liquid antacid every one half to one hour, or 2-4 ounces of skimmed milk, whole milk, or milk and cream every hour to neutralize the free hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Anticholinergic agents are valuable adjuncts to ulcer therapy because they decrease the output of free hydrochloric acid; however, they do not usually produce achlorhydria. Even in those cases in which achlorhydria is produced, the effect rarely lasts for more than one to one and a half hours. No anticholinergic