Anger may play an important etiological rôle in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer. It operates through increasing secretory and motor gastric activity. The effect of anger on gastric secretion was observed in a patient with peptic ulcer, in whom gastric acidity had been completely inhibited by enterogastrone. Hostile emotions evoked during a psychiatric interview, but suppressed by the patient, overcame the inhibition and resulted in the secretion of a large volume of hydrochloric acid. This effect was abolished by bilateral section of the vagus.

The theoretical formulation is advanced that in the infant there exists a close association between anger and receiving food. This association may persist in some ulcer patients and in some 'normals' and may come to expression through a 'regressive innervation'.