139 



Pettenlcofer's test, the characteristic colour was beautifully de- 

 veloped. 



December 22. The solution last alluded to was this morning 

 distinctly yellow, very bitter, and formed a precipitate with diluted 

 acetic acid. A musky odour is also perceptible. 



On the 21st of December another portion of membrane was covered 

 with the liver-broth and left at the ordinary temperature of the room 

 in which the operation was conducted, 10 C. After thirty hours' 

 digestion, the fluid was in the slightest degree bitter ; it was then 

 exposed to a temperature of 50 C. Three hours having elapsed, it 

 was again examined and found decidedly bitter. 



December 23. Cursorily examined the fluid at 4 P.M. ; it is noted 

 down as intensely bitter, becoming yellow, with slight musky odour. 



December 24. The solution, just undergoing metamorphosis on 

 December 21st, was this day found as yellow as a diluted solution of 

 ox-gall, musky odour distinct, intensely bitter. Another remarkable 

 feature in common with ox-gall as it is separated from the bladder 

 was now developed : on pouring it into a glass for precipitation with 

 acetic acid, it was found glairy, and instead of running off like water 

 as it did originally, the drops were viscid like a solution of gum- 

 arabic. The bitter taste was now also converted into a sweetish- 

 bitter, identical with the organic matter in ox-bile. The solution 

 gave a dense precipitate with diluted acetic acid, and the peculiar 

 reaction of Pettenkofer's test was most satisfactorily exhibited. It 

 may not be considered unimportant to mention, that, on repeating 

 these experiments a few days ago, a portion of the solution, treated 

 as above, was placed in the hands of a bystander wholly ignorant of 

 the matter, with a request to smell without looking at it ; the report 

 was, " You are mixing up some indiau ink ;*' indeed, the odour of 

 musk seems to be one of the most important conjunctive indications 

 of the presence of bile, after a few hours' exposure to atmospheric air. 



Many more experiments are registered in the author's rough notes; 

 some of these have been repeated within the last few days, all with 

 confirmatory results ; the following generalizations therefore appear 

 legitimately deduced from the research : 



1st, That the mucus of the gall-bladder is not merely a secretion 

 destined to lubricate the interior of that organ and protect it from 



