220 RUBIACEZ, 
secretion of bile, and by augmenting the peristaltic action of the 
intestine, promotes defecation; but if taken in excess, it para- 
_ lyzes the digestive function, a causes venous congestion of th 
liver, constipation and hemorrhoids. Coffee is often a useful 
stimulant in asthma, narcotism, delirium tremens, and du 
convalescence. Experiments upon animals have shown t 
coffee and caffeine are direct physiological antidotes to morph 
Coffee and caffeine have been used as diuretics in dropsy. 
von Schroeder of Strasburg, from experiments which he 
made, arrives at the conclusion that caffeine acts powerfully ant 
centres as to diminish the urinary secretion. 
eliminate the action of the vaso-motor centres upon the s 
by means of chloral hydrate. The result was a marked lo 
ing of blood tension. A rabbit of two kilos weight was 
tised with chloral, and canulas introduced into the ure 
Within 70 minutes 50 centigrams of caffeine was injected 
three separate operations into the veins, The quant 
of urine secreted during this time was about eleven tim 
greater than under normal conditions. Here the 
appeared to act directly upon the renal epithelium. To ¢ 
strate this more clearly, Schroeder cut the nerves of 
kidney, leaving those of the other intact. All vaso 
influence over one kidney was thus prevented, while to 
serve it intact over the otlrer, the animal was narcotised 
morphia before the experiment. When caffeine was” 
introduced into the blood of the rabbit, there was & 
greater urinary secretion from the kidney, the nerves of 
had been divided, than from the other. 
excitation of the nerve centres like strychnia, and stim 
of the secretory elements of the kidney, the latter being 
| completely neutralised by the former. Schroo 
this double action of. — to that of 
