CHAPTEE XIII. 



ACTION OF THE BILE IN DIGESTION MOVEMENTS OF THE SMALL 



INTESTINE. 



Question of the excrementitious or recrementitious character of the bile Liga- 

 tion of the ductus communis choledicus Biliary fistula General constitu- 

 tion of the bile Observations on a dog with biliary fistula Variations of the 

 bile with digestion Movements of the small intestine Peristaltic and anti- 

 peristaltic movements Cause of the movements of the small intestine 

 Function of the gases in the small intestine Peristaltic movements after 

 death Influence of the nervous system upon the peristaltic movements. 



Action of tJie Bile in Digestion. 



A GKEAT deal of diversity of opinion has existed among 

 physiologists concerning the functions of the*bile. It is now 

 pretty generally acknowledged that this fluid has, of itself, 

 no marked influence upon any of the different classes of ali- 

 mentary principles, such as we have observed in the other se- 

 cretions which are discharged into the alimentary canal. This 

 being the case, it is important to decide whether the bile is 

 essential in assisting or modifying the action of other secre- 

 tions, or whether it is entirely inert in the digestive process. 

 From the fact that it is poured into the upper part of the 

 small intestine, it would seem that it must have some office, 

 either in modifying the digestion and absorption of food, or 

 in the passage of alimentary substances or their residue down 

 the intestinal tract. It is difficult to suppose that a fluid 

 which is brought in contact with the alimentary mass in that 

 portion of the intestine where the most important digestive 

 processes commence should be simply excrementitious ; yet 



