Figure 3 Stimulus‐response curves. Sensory ratings on a visual analogue scale (VAS, with 5 as the pain threshold) in patients with oesophagitis and controls during distension of the oesophagus at 25 ml/min (A). Distensions were given until moderate pain was reported (7 on the VAS). In (B) the same data are shown after pharmacological relaxation of smooth muscle. Patients with oesophagitis were hyposensitive to the mechanical stimuli. Values are mean (SEM).