1. Differing amounts of human pepsins 1, 3 (pepsin A) and 5 (pepsin C or gastriscin) in aqueous HCl/NaCl at pH 1.3 were placed in Perspex rings on the exposed luminal surface of the perfused cat stomach to test for mucolytic and erosive activity in vivo, with the acid medium in control rings. 2. After incubation at 37 degrees C for 60 or 120 min, the test and control solutions were replaced by the same volume of each test or control solution containing 18 mg of aspirin and incubated for a further 120 min. 3. The number of bleeding points or erosions was counted at 15 min intervals. None was observed with human pepsins 1, 3 and 5 or with pig pepsin A or in the control rings. 4. With aspirin, erosions developed in all ringed areas. Their rate of development with time for pepsin 1 and pig pepsin did not differ from controls. Significantly more erosions developed with human pepsins 3 (5 mg per ring, P < 0.001) and 5 (0.32 mg per ring, P < 0.05). 5. Human pepsins 3 and 5, applied at pH 1.3 to the mucosal surface of the perfused cat stomach, therefore cause erosions when administered with aspirin, but do not produce erosions when given alone. In man, pepsins secreted in increased amount or concentration may therefore be unlikely to cause significant mucosal erosion unless human gastric mucosa is less resistant to pepsins than cat mucosa. Pepsins may perhaps facilitate the action of a second factor, such as aspirin, or infection with Helicobacter pylori.