ON THE ACTION OF MERCURY ON THE BILIARY SECRETION. 229 
the extent of 11:2 grammes, and the bile solids to the extent of 0:23 gramme. 
Next day 240 grains were given, and the fluid bile fell to the extent of 21-6 
grammes, while the bile solids rose to the extent of 0-38 gramme. These 
doses produced no effect upon the bowels. ‘he fieces were always solid. 
The dog was in most excellent health when these observations were discon- 
tinued, 
The observations recorded in Table XX. show, even more conclusively than 
those recorded in Table XIX., that taraxacum did not influence the biliary 
secretion in any way whatever. 
Results of the Observations recorded in Tables XVII., XVIIL., XIX., 
and XX, 
1. Doses of podophylline, varying from 2 to 8 grains, when given to dogs 
diminished the solid constituents of the bile, whether they produced purga- 
tion or not. 
2. Doses which produced purgation lessened both the fluid and solid con- 
stituents. 
3. During an attack of dysentery both the fluid and solid constituents of 
the bile were greatly lowered. 
4, Doses of the solid extract of taraxacum, varying from 60 to 240 grains, 
affected neither the biliary secretion, the bowels, nor the general health of 
the animal. 
INFLUENCE oF PurGAtion upon THE Brurary Secrerron. 
The observations of the Committee conclusively show that purgation pro- 
duced by a variety of causes diminished both the fluid and solid constituents 
of the biliary secretion. Spontaneous diarrhoea (Table X.), dysentery, 
(Table XVIII.), and purgation produced by Pil. Hydrargyri (Table X., and 
non-tabulated observations on dog 7, see p. 214), by calomel (Table X.), 
by corrosive sublimate (Table XI.), and by podophylline (Tables XVIL., 
XYIII., and XIX.) always diminished the solid constituents of the bile, and 
with one exception (see July 29, Table X.) the fluid portion of the bile also. 
That purgation diminishes the biliary function of the liver is one of the most 
important facts established by the Committee. It is, however, nothing more 
than what might have been expected, seeing that purgation drains the portal 
blood from which the bile is almost entirely formed. 
Rexatron oF Brrrary Sucretron ro ConsumPrion oF Foon. 
The observations of the Committee show that the relation between the 
biliary secretion and the amount of food consumed is by no means such a 
close one as Bidder, Schmidt, Arnold, and others have supposed. On looking 
at the collections of bile in the healthy animal previous to the administration 
of drugs, it will frequently be seen that while eating the same food, and 
without there being any apparent disturbing cause, such as diarrhea, &c., 
the amount of bile was nearly a half (Tables II. and III.) and even four- 
fifths less (Table VIII.) than on previous and subsequent days. Further, it 
was frequently observed that although the amount of food consumed varied 
greatly the secretion of bile was remarkably constant. In Table XI. are 
observations which illustrate this fact. During three days of perfect health 
the animal secreted very nearly a constant amount of bile fluid and bile solids, 
although the amount of food varied greatly. Thus on the first day it took 
73°7 grammes of dry food, on the second day it took 14-16, and on the 
third day 62:37 grammes; on these days the amount of bile secreted per 
