CH. XXXII.] 



PANCREATIC JUICE 



491 



Composition and Action of Pancreatic Juice. 



The pancreatic juice may be obtained by a fistula in animals, a 

 cannula being inserted into the main pancreatic duct ; but as in the 

 case of gastric juice, experiments on the pancreatic secretion are usu- 

 ally performed with an artificial juice made by mixing a weak alkaline 

 solution (1 per cent, sodium Carbonate) with a glycerin extract of 

 pancreas. The pancreas should be treated with dilute acid for a few 







FIG. 398. Section of the pancreas of armadillo, showing alveoli and an islet of Langerhans in the con- 

 nective tissue. (V. D. Harris.) 



hours before the glycerin is added. This ensures a conversion of the 

 trypsinogen into trypsin. 



Quantitative analysis of human pancreatic juice gives the follow- 



ing results : 



Water . 

 Organic solids 

 Inorganic salts 



97*6 per cent 

 1-8 

 0-6 



In the dog the amount of solids is much greater. 

 The organic substances in pancreatic juice are 



(a) Ferments. These are the most important both quantitatively 

 and functionally. They are four in number : 



L Trypsin, a proteolytic ferment. 



ii. Amylopsin or pancreatic diastase, an amylolytic ferment, 

 iii. Steapsin, a fat-splitting or lipolytic ferment, 

 iv. A milk-curdling ferment. 



(b) A small amount of proteid matter, coagulable by heat. 



(c) Traces of leucine, tyrosine, xanthine, and soaps. 

 The inorganic substances in pancreatic juice are 



Sodium chloride, which is the most abundant, and smaller quan- 

 tities of potassium chloride, and phosphates of sodium, calcium, and 



