1 86 EQUINE PHYSIOLOGY. 



Action of the Bile in Digestion. 



1. It dissolves and emulsifies fats and liberates fatty acids in 

 small amounts. 



2. It acts as a stimulus to peristalsis by its irritant action on the 

 intestinal mucous membrane. 



3. It prevents decomposition of faeces, the faeces being colored 

 by the bile pigments in the form of hydro-bilirubin. 



4. It is said to contain a ferment in small amount, capable of 

 converting starch into sugar. 



Glycogenic Function. 



From observation it has been found that the liver has another 

 function — the changing of the carbohydrates and albumin into a 

 new substance, glycogen, CrHioOo, whitish in color, inodorous, 

 amorphous, insoluble in alcohol or ether, but imperfectly soluble 

 in boiling water (Charles). It is taken up in the form of glucose, 

 then stored up as glycogen, and then changed into glucose again, 

 when It is carried away from the liver. 



Uses of Glycogen. — It is probably burned up in the lungs, cir- 

 culation and muscles in generating animal heat, and in muscular 

 action. 



Puncture of the floor of the medulla causes glycosuria, as shown 

 by Bernard, An animal deprived of bile by a fistula dies of star- 

 vation after losing four-tenths of its bodily weight. 



THE PANCREATIC JUICE. 



The secretion of the pancreas is colorless and alkaline in reaction. 

 It is coagulated by heat, metallic salts, tannic acid, etc. ; is easily 

 decomposed, emitting an offensive odor. Its specific gravity is 

 about 1020, and amount in 24 hours is about 12^/^ pounds. Its 

 composition is as follows : — 



Water, 9S2.05 



Organic matter, 8.88 



Ash, 8.59 



The ash consists of phosphates, chlorides, iron and magnesium. 



The organic matter consists of four ferments — an amylolytic, 



a proteolytic, one acting on fats, and a milk- curdling ferment. 



The first may be extracted by a solution of arseniate of potas- 



