Application of miniaturized mercury column strain gauges to the study of gastric motility

A mercury strain gauge was capable of recording gastrointestinal motility accurately. Its sensitivity and precision of location enable it to record fine movements of muscle and provide information about the timing and relationships of contractions in the region of the pylorus. The compliance of the gauge allows it to follow changes in diameter of the gut wall, and these probably relate to gut “tone” activity. Observations of the nature of the data recorded are presented.