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in the blood, which has never been separated from it. That such 

 an absorption takes place it appears reasonable to infer from the 

 circumstance that, in jaundice, bile may be copiously secreted with 

 the urine, and if this bile had not been previously separated by 

 the liver, there is no reason why the kidneys should not at other 

 times produce bile, seeing that the blood cannot be at all other 

 times free from the materials of bile, because its secretion by the 

 liver is unremitting. Leaving this, then, as a matter which would 

 not be the worse for some additional illustration, we shall proceed 

 to consider some particulars belonging to the liver as one of the 

 preparatory organs. 



4. As bile is mixed with the chyme discharged by the sto- 

 mach into the duodenum, it is to be inquired what share has bile 

 in the conversion of chyme into chyle? This inquiry proceeds 

 upon the supposition that the liver is not directly related with the 

 preparatory processes, but through the medium of the fluid it 

 produces. 



5. An opportunity is afforded for a comparison between the 

 chymical differences of chyle with which bile is mixed, and that 

 into the composition of which it does not enter, by a ligature on 

 the bile-ducts. But would a specification of these chymical diffe- 

 rences illustrate or explain the importance of bile in these processes, 

 with regard to the future relations of the common product of 

 these organs? To proceed in the analysis, in the way indicated by 

 our causation, 



6. It is to be asked, with what bile exhibits the first relation! 

 with the contents of the duodenum. Bile is mixed with chyme, 

 and helps to constitute chyle ; this is the first operation in 

 which it is engaged: but its history is to be more minutely traced. 

 Chyle is separated into two parts: one, nutrient, which is taken up 

 by the lacteals; and the other, excrementitious. Concerning this 

 separation, it is to be asked, does it happen from spontaneous 

 processes which chyle undergoes from the force of its constituents! 

 or, is there an additional function, viz. that of the lacteal orifices, 

 by which the separation is performed? This is a matter which 

 will be recurred to hereafter: in the mean time, if the separation 

 is spontaneous, the parts are first to be defined ; it is then to be 

 inquired what those properties are which determine the separation, 

 or without which it would not take place? The agents are to be 

 sought after, distinguishing efficient properties from associated 

 ones (a shrewd work this for analysis) ; and the share which bile 

 has in the operation is to be specified. 



7. But without laying any stress upon the result of an inquiry 

 on the above question, we will proceed only in our examination 

 upon that which is obvious. As the separation of chyle takes 

 place, the constitution of either part is to be sought after, if possi- 

 ble, by analysis. It is to be asked of the lacteal chyle, does bile 

 contribute towards its constitution, or does bile furnish any requi- 

 site constituents? The philosophical mode of answering this 



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