ON THE NATURE OF INTESTINAL SECRETION. 57 
Gramme. 
‘32 sulphate of atropia. 
‘82 iodide of methyl-atropia. 
*32 chloral hydrate. 
064 emetia. ‘ 
"13 morphia. 
32 sulphate of quinine. 
*32 tannin. 
‘064 sulphate of zinc. 
Those introduced by subcutaneous injection were, 
d a } Used ‘in cholera by Dr. Hall, of Bengal. 
“064 acetate of morphia. 
In none of these experiments was there any effect of the above drugs in 
diminishing the average amount of secretion produced by magnesium sul- 
phate. There appears, therefore, to be no action analogous to that of atropia 
upon secretion of the submaxillary gland. For summary see Table I. in 
Appendix. 
Direct ligature of the mesenteric veins produced profuse hemorrhage into 
the loop of intestine, without any apparent secretion. 
Series III. The last point we proposed to investigate was the precise 
manner in which the nervous system influences secretion. 
We first repeated Moreau’s experiment by dividing the filaments of nerve 
in the mesentery which passed to a ligatured loop of intestine. In two 
cases we obtained a negative result, owing probably to some of the smaller 
fibres having escaped ; but in the third a more successful division was followed 
by profuse secretion into the loop. This, therefore, is an effect common to cats 
as well as to dogs and rabbits. 
We next divided both splanchnic nerves below the diaphragm ; and as this 
produced no abnormal result on the intestine, we determined to excise the 
semilunar ganglia (dividing the splanchnics in the same operation). 
In 18 experiments we only once found any considerable secretion in the 
loop of intestine. ; 
The results on the vascularity of the intestines, their peristaltic movements 
and tonic contraction are given in detail in the Appendix, Series ITT. 
It would appear from these experiments that the splanchnic nerves are 
not the channel by which currents from the cord pass to the secretory appa- 
ratus of the intestine. 
What this channel is we hope to ascertain by further investigation, which 
we intend to apply not only to the secretion but also to the movements of 
the intestinal tube. 
APPENDIX. 
Seriss I, 
Ewperiment 1.—Saturated solution of magnesium sulphate. Three loops 
were isolated, and 24 c, c. injected into the middle loop, 
On examination, 
Middle loop contained 85 c. c. of opalescent fluid, which gave an 
. , abundant precipitate with HNO,. 
er loo 
rover f empty 
Mucous membrane pale in all loops. 
