INTESTINAL SECRETIONS. 251 



tain specific action of the pancreatic juice on albuminoid sub- 

 stances. 



INTESTINAL SECRETIONS. 



The glandular apparatus in the mucous membrane of the 

 intestine yields an abundant secretion, which may readily be 

 collected in a fold of intestine by placing a couple of pairs of 

 clams at some distance from each other in the tube. As 

 much as from 3 to 4 ounces of fluid may be obtained in half 

 an hour in a couple of yards of small intestine. If intestinal 

 digestion is stopped the quantity of secretion is small, but 

 the amount is large if a solution of aloes or of sulphate of 

 soda is introduced into the fold. Intestinal juice thus ob- 

 tained is of a clear yellowish colour. Taste slightly salt and 

 alkaline reaction. M. Lassaigne found that it contained 



Albumen . . 0'45 



Chloride of sodium 



of potassium 



m v- j~ J 



Phosphate and 

 Carbonate of soda 

 Water . . 98'1 



Its density is 1*010 at the temperature of 15 centigrada 



If the intestinal secretions are mixed with some oil, a soapy 

 mixture is produced, and this is seen whether the oil be 

 poured in the intestine during an experiment, or added to 

 a quantity of the fluid outside the body. In canivorous ani- 

 mals this product of the mucous membrane is very scanty. 



It is evident, then, that the acid material which passes 

 from the stomach into the intestine is at once neutralized by 

 the alkaline secretions it meets in tjie duodenum. 



The glands of Briinner yield a considerable quantity of 

 fluid which, mixed with the bile and pancreatic juice, tend 

 to render the alimentary matters alkaline, to dissolve all 



