DISCHARGE OF THE BILE. 25 T 



but it is found empty, or nearly so, in animals killed during 

 digestion. 



The influence of the nervous system upon the secretion 

 of bile has been very little studied, and the question is one 

 of great difficulty and obscurity. The liver is supplied very 

 abundantly with nerves, both from the cerebro-spinal and 

 the sympathetic system, and some observations have been 

 made upon the influence of the nerves on its glycogenic 

 function ; but with regard to the secretion of bile, we can 

 only apply our general remarks concerning the influence of 

 the nervous system on secretion. 1 



The bile is discharged through the hepatic ducts like the 

 secretion of any other gland. During digestion, the fluid 

 accumulated in the gall-bladder passes into the ductus com- 

 munis, in part by contractions of its walls, and in part, prob- 

 ably, by compression exerted by the distended and congested 

 digestive organs adjacent to it. It seems that this fluid, 

 which is necessarily produced by the liver without inter- 

 mission, separating from the blood certain excrementitious 

 matters, is retained in the gall-bladder for use during 

 digestion. 



1 See page 28, et seq. 



The extent of our knowledge of the influence of the nervous system on the 

 secretion of bile is well presented in the following paragraph : 



" The nervous system has assuredly a very great influence on the resorption 

 of bile or on an obstacle offered to its discharge ; but we know nothing distinct 

 relative to this action, although we cannot deny it in the face of instances where 

 fear has been sufficient to suddenly produce icterus. The cause of this can 

 only be attributed to the influence of the pneumogastric or the grand sympa- 

 thetic (BERNARD, Liquides de Vorganlsme, Paris, 1859, tome ii., p. 212). 



17 



