182 ACTION OF SALINE CATHARTICS BY N. B. DREYER, B. A. 



one can only surmise that some other agent is responsible for 

 this salt to exert its action. The secretion was not markedly 

 affected. 



Sodium carbonate was also tested. In isotonic or hyper- 

 tonic solutions the contractions were greatly increased in rate 

 and force, especially in 10% solution spasm was produced. 

 Unfortunately strong NajCOj solution corroded the mucous 

 membrane of the gut, and caused it to separate completely, 

 leaving the musculature bare, and exposed to the action of alkali. 

 Intravenously the same action was exerted on the gut. The 

 contents increased in amount even with the mucous membrane 

 gone, showing that a transudate still occurred. 



