ON THE ACTION OF MERCURY ON THE BILIARY SECRETION. 22] 
grammes. The amount of bile secreted on the 10th was still further dimi- 
nished, the fluid bile being little more than a ninth of the average quantity 
secreted during the twelve days from June 27th to July 8th inclusive ; while 
the bile solids were little more than a thirtieth of the average quantity se- 
creted during the same period. 
In the case of dog 8 six grains, in that of dog 7 four grains of corro- 
sive sublimate were required to bring about the same result as regards the 
biliary secretion. This was apparently due to the fact that dog 8 was an 
older and a stronger dog. But although the biliary secretion held out longer 
against the drug in this animal, the constitutional symptoms were more 
marked. Thus salivation, foctid breath, and ulceration of the gums were 
present, while these were wanting in dog 7. This fact adds greatly to the 
value of the observations on dog 8 ; for it shows when mercury is given to an 
extent sufficient to increase the function of the salivary glands, it diminishes 
the biliary function of the liver. 
The impression produced by the drug upon the health of dog 8 was deep 
and lasting. Although its administration and the collection of bile were 
stopped on July 10th, the emaciation of the animal continued to increase 
rapidly. The appetite was very poor on the 14th, there was coffee-ground 
vomiting, blood was passed in the feces, and there was a decided muco- 
purulent discharge from the left nostril. The ulcer in the mouth became 
larger. The animal, which previous to the administration of the mercury 
had been so strong and vigorous, grew so weak that it could hardly walk, 
and it was killed July 25th. On dissection six hours after death nothing 
abnormal was found. The hepatic cells seemed healthy. The intestine, 
pancreas, and salivary glands were not unduly vascular. 
Results of the preceding Observations on the Cholagoque Action of Corrosive 
Sublimate. 
These two series of observations on dogs 7 and 8 so closely resembled 
each other, and were so perfectly carried out, that there was no possibility 
of fallacy. They show :— 
1. That corrosive sublimate, when given in small doses, gradually in- 
creased in strength, does not augment the biliary secretion, but that it dimi- 
nishes it the moment the dose reaches a strength sufficient to deteriorate the 
general health. 
2. That corrosive sublimate given in the above method may diminish the 
biliary secretion, while it does or does not produce an evident action on the 
salivary glands and mouth, and without producing purgation. 
3. Case 6 shows that the biliary secretion is likewise diminished when 
this drug is given in a dose sufficient to produce purgation, 
The next subject which engaged our attention was the mode in which 
the mercury had caused a diminution of the biliary secretion in dogs 7 
and 8. 
The experiment on dog 8 seemed strongly to point to the diminished 
consumption of food as the cause of the diminished biliary secretion. With 
a view to throw further light on this matter, we performed the following 
experiment on the : 
Influence of Partial Starvation on the Biliary Secretion. 
For the following experiment dog 7 was used, which had thoroughly 
recovered its health and strength, 
