376 C. G. Mitscherlich on [May 



Mitscherlich found that the secretion is diminished by 

 passions of the mind, by perfect rest, and is always increased 

 by the motion of the lower jaw, and by coughing. During 

 mastication, and in the act of drinking, the saliva is sepa- 

 rated in abundance, and often collects in drops. At the 

 commencement of mastication the saliva was stronger both 

 in regard to chemical composition and consistence, than 

 towards the termination. During the night the quantity of 

 saliva was very small, as might be expected, when the 

 motions of the under jaw, of the tongue, as well as the 

 nervous action on the salivary glands are no longer stimu- 

 lating the secretion. 



The quantity collected in an apparatus provided for the 

 purpose, and properly adjusted, from 8J p.m. to 5 a.m. 

 amounted to 0*748 grm. (11 J grs.) After breakfast, between 

 8| and 12 a.m. 1*862 grm. (19*1 grs.) of saliva were obtained. 

 The same experiment repeated gave in about three hours 

 1*242 grm. (29*2 grs.) In the course of four hours in the 

 afternoon, 1*9 gr. were procured, during which period and 

 that in which the previous experiment was made, the patient 

 spoke a good deal. During mastication the experiment upon 

 the quantity of saliva secreted were so often repeated that 

 Mitscherlich considers the point completely settled. 



The smallest quantity procured during three meals was 

 46 grm. (708* grs.) the greatest quantity 74*5 grm. 

 (11*47 grs.) but, in addition to these regular repasts, the 

 patient drank twice daily a cup of tea, when 5 or 6 grms. 

 (77 grs.) passed through the fistula. 



In this individual, therefore, with the usual diet of the 

 hospital, which consisted of water gruel and wheat bread 

 to breakfast, broth, beef, pulse, and bread to dinner, and 

 water gruel and bread in the afternoon, the amount of saliva 

 excreted in the 24 hours may be reckoned at between 65 

 and 95 grms. (1001 grs. 1463 grs.) 



Mitscherlich endeavoured to ascertain the quantity of 

 saliva derived from the other salivary glands, and for this 

 purpose he caused the patient to spit into a glass vessel 

 during a given time. In 15 minutes the quantity in the 

 glass was 6*27 grms. (96 J grs.) and that derived from the 

 fistula 0*92. (14*16 grs.) the insoluble portion of the liquid 

 from the mouth being separated by filtration. This experi- 

 ment is not satisfactory, however, because the parotid is 



