146 PROFESSOR RUTHERFORD ON THE 
After the secretion had fallen very low, 15 grains (about 30 drops) of croton 
oil, in 60 minims of almond oil, were injected directly into the duodenum (at ¢, 
fig. 4). The dose was a large one, but not so large as quantities given by 
Rouric. After half-an-hour, the fall in the bile-secretion was arrested, and a 
slight rise took place. Towards the close of the experiment, the pulse became 
extremely weak. 
Necropsy.*—-The mucous membrane of the upper three-fourths of the small 
intestine was intensely red, especially in the duodenum, the colour of which 
resembled that of claret. There was evidence of impending purgation in the 
small intestine. The weak pulse at the close of this experiment, together with 
the violent intestinal irritation, suggested that the collapse had been occasioned 
by the drug, and that a smaller dose should be given in the next experiment. 
Experiment 5. Dog weighing 5°9 kilogrammes.—This animal had refused 
almost all food for nearly two days. 
Six grains of croton oil in 60 minims 
of almond oil, were injected into the 
duodenum (¢, fig. 5). No increase of 
the biliary secretion followed. The 
pulse became so weak that the experi- 
Fig. 5.—Secretion of bile before and after 6 grains of ment was ended two hours and a half 
* croton oil were injected into duodenum at c. after the oil was given. 
Necropsy.—The oil had found its way into the stomach. The gastric mucous 
membrane was of a claret colour. There was slight redness of the duodenum,: 
but no evidence of purgative action. 
Experiment 6. Dog that had fasted eighteen hours. Weight 3:1 kilo- 
erammes.—In this experiment only 3 grains 
croton oil in 60 minims almond oil were in- 
jected into the duodenum. A decided increase 
in the biliary secretion began within an hour 
after the injection. The secretion soon reached 
a maximum, and then fell in the course of two 
MiB Oaing of crnten oil nave inectal imo Hours to the same level as before the injection 
the duodenum at c. (fig. 6). 
Necropsy.—A portion of the oil was found in the stomach, and another 
portion half way down the small intestine. The gastric mucous membrane 
was intensely red. There were patches of slight redness here and there in the 
duodenum. No evidence of purgative action. 
These experiments were undertaken simply to test the accuracy of Rourie’s 
conclusion arrived at by his method of counting the drops of bile. Our method, 
* In all cases, unless otherwise stated, the necropsy was performed immediately at the close of the 
experiment. 
