Complete physical rest is often recommended by internists as a valuable adjunct in the management of peptic ulcer. This precept was derived primarily from clinical experiences, with little supporting experimental evidence. Lillehei and Wangensteen1 of the Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, studied the effects of moderate muscular fatigue on the incidence and severity of histamine-provoked peptic ulcer in dogs.
Fifteen dogs given continuous muscular activity and injections of histamine were compared with 13 not subjected to the activity. Among the 13 nonfatigued control dogs, 10 showed normal gastrointestinal tracts. Three (23 per cent) showed mild duodenal ulcers or erosions. Among the 15 fatigued dogs, only 4 showed normal gastrointestinal tracts. Eleven (73 per cent) showed relatively severe gastric, duodenal or jejunal ulcers or erosions. In 6 cases multiple ulcers were noted, two of which had perforated, causing the death of 1 dog. These results are in accord with