56 DIGESTION. 



What is the quantity of bile secreted daily ? 



The quantity varies with the amount of food taken, but is esti- 

 mated to vary between 20 and 40 ounces, or, approximately, from 

 a pint to a quart, in twenty-four hours. 



What is the resemblance between bile and meconium ? 



There are strong similarities. Meconium contains considerable 

 proportions of bile salts and pigment, as well as cholesterin. It is 

 supposed that in the foetus the liver has the function of purifying 

 the circulating blood and excreting certain offensive matters in this 

 way. 



What are some of the more important ingredients of bile ? 



(1) Bile salts, sodium glycocholate and sodium taurocholate. 

 They may be isolated in crystalline form from bile, and are pres- 



FIG. 10. 



Cholesterin from the Contents of an Encysted Tumor. 



ent in human bile in about equal proportions. They are soluble 

 and very deliquescent colorless crystals which have the bitter taste 

 of bile. Test by Pettenkofer's method : Add to a solution of bile 

 a small amount of a solution of cane-sugar. On treating this 

 solution with pure sulphuric acid drop by drop there is first a 

 precipitation of a turbid sediment (cholic acid). This is cleared 



