AbstractIn this prospective alternate trial, so far we have tested the effects of either cimetidine or secretin in 26 patients suffering from acute nonarterial bleeding from fresh ulcers or hemorrhagic erosions in the stomach or duodenum.In all patients, the presence of bleeding was established by endoscopic examination. Secretin was given at a dosage of 0.5 clinical units/kg body weight per hour and cimetidine 1 mg/kg body weight per hour. The test preparations were given as continuous infusions over 48 hours unless premature interruption was necessary.Additional treatment included rinsing the stomach with ice water through the gastric tube, complete parenteral nutrition, sedative drugs, and blood transfusions as necessary. The criterion for interrupting therapy was persistent or recurrent bleeding. After the initial 48 hours of treatment, patients were given cimetidine, antacids, and parenteral nutrition up to a maximum of 12 days.