

BILE. 21 



the bilic acid and acid bilate of soda may be procured in a 

 crystalline state. In a subsequent communication by the 

 same chemist, after correcting certain errors in his first paper, 

 he proceeds to show that two distinct substances are met with 

 in perfectly fresh bile : " I have been able," he observes, " to 

 cause bile, which was evaporated in a water-bath, and freed 

 from mucus and the greater part of its salts by repeated solu- 

 tion in alcohol, to crystallize immediately. For this purpose 

 nothing further is necessary than to add ether repeatedly to 

 as strong an alcoholic solution of the bile as possible, and then 

 to set it aside in a cool place. The principal and most impor- 

 tant constituent of the bile then crystallizes, in the same manner 

 as in my former experiments ; but i \ of the bile used does not 

 crystallize, but remains as a yellowish-brown syrup. I have 

 not been able to succeed in separating this in any manner from 

 the crystals ; consequently, I can say nothing more concerning 

 its nature. It is, however, evidently a different substance from 

 the principal constituent of the bile, possibly a product of its 

 decomposition. The decomposition of the bile begins even in 

 the organism, and it is impossible to examine fresh bile which 

 is not partly decomposed. The brown liquid appears to consist 

 principally of biliary colouring matter. I must, however, re- 

 mark that the crystals have also a slightly yellow tint. The 

 principal constituent of bile is a compound of soda with a 

 peculiar organic body, and this compound may be immediately 

 procured from the bile without its undergoing any important 

 alteration. Liebig called this compound bilate of soda; I have 

 denominated it choline-soda. It does not appear to me suffi- 

 ciently proved that the principal organic constituent of bile is 

 positively an acid. It is possible that, like albumen, it may 

 combine with acids as well as with bases. The most recent 

 examinations of the bile by Berzelius would then be partly true. 

 Further experiments must decide this. These, however, are 

 peculiarly difficult, because, in separating the bile from soda, 

 an acid body may undoubtedly be formed. From the above 

 observation, it is further evident that the formula advanced by 

 Liebig for bilic acid must be incorrect; for Kemp, Theyer, and 

 Schlosser have not analysed the essential biliary ingredient in 

 a perfectly pure state, but have always at the same time in- 

 cluded the brown syrup.] 



