74 A STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE 



have been obtained which, it is hoped, will prove of value in 

 explaining more fully the action of these fluids upon the 

 whole process of digestion. 



SALIVARY SECRETION. 



The current statements regarding the influence of alcohol 

 on the secretion of saliva are confined to a brief reference to 

 the direct action on the flow into the mouth. Thus it is 

 stated that almost coincident with the burning sensation 

 caused by alcohol taken into the mouth, a copious flow of 

 saliva begins, due to reflex stimulation of the glands through 

 the nervous system.* We have performed experiments with 

 the object of ascertaining (1) the possible variations hi the 

 amount of salivary flow due to the presence of alcoholic fluids 

 in the mouth, psychical influences being eliminated so far as 

 possible; (2) the character of the saliva thus secreted; (3) 

 the influence upon secretion of alcoholic beverages introduced 

 into the stomach. It seemed particularly desirable to investi- 

 gate this latter phase in view of the asserted influence of 

 irritating substances (vinegar, alcoholic extract of pepper, etc.) 

 when introduced directly into the alimentary tract through 

 a fistula. There is said to result under such conditions a 

 reflex flow of saliva, the nervous impulses being transmitted 

 through the vagus.f 



The Influence of Alcoholic Fluids introduced into the Mouth. 

 In the following experiments the attempt was made to 

 ascertain something as to the character and extent of the 

 direct stimulation of the salivary glands provoked by the 

 presence of alcoholic fluids in the mouth, as well as to 

 determine what quantitative changes, if any, may be called 

 forth hi the composition of the secretion in this way. These 

 experiments were made on both man and dogs. The method, 

 in the first instance, consisted in taking into the mouth 



Compare, for example, Kiihne, Lehrbuch der physiol. Chemie, 1868, p. 

 2 ; Lauder Brunton, Disorders of digestion, 1886, p. 143. 



t Oehl, Comptes rendus, lix, p. 336, quoted by Heidenhain, Hermann's 

 Handbuch der Physiologic, 1883, T, p. 83. 



