FUNCTIONS OF BILE. 



177 



the hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice. With the bile acids 

 the pepsin is mechanically carried down. Thus, immediately on 

 their entrance into the duodenum the peptic digestion of the 

 gastric contents is suddenly stopped not only by the precipitation 

 of the soluble peptones and the shrinking of the swollen para- 

 peptone, but also by the removal of the pepsin itself from the 

 fluid and the neutralization of the gastric fluid by the alkaline 

 bile. 



By thus checking the action of the gastric ferment the bile 

 prepares the chyme for the action of the pancreatic juice. 



15 



