160 PROFESSOR RUTHERFORD ON THE 
It therefore appears that rhubarb, like podophyllin, excites the liver to 
secrete bile, having a composition similar to that secreted under normal 
conditions. 
Results of Experiments with Rhubarb.—1. An infusion of seventeen grains 
of Indian rhubarb, when placed in the duodenum, never failed to increase 
the secretion of bile within 
half-an-hour after it was 
given, Although in Experi- 
ment 14, the coefficient of 
secretion was raised to 0°6 cc., 
thereby indicating a very ac- 
tive secretion of bile, it must 
be observed that in this case 
the action of the liver was 
irregular. Experiment 13 is, 
3 cc. bile and 5 ce. water 
injected into duodenum at b. 4 cc. bile and 5 ee. concentrated in- ; 
: u 
fusion of senna injected into duodenum at s, s’, s”, and s”. 
Fig 15.—Secretion of bile before and after senna. 
therefore, a better index of 
Bapeximentalb, the activity of the drug, and 
| as in that case sixty-eight 
Secretion I Secretion pay . 
Secretion | of bile per | Secretion of bile per Salis of the substance did 
of bile per kilogramme || of bile per kilogramme not raise the secretion of 
5! | ofdog: per | i of dog : per ; ‘ 
hour. | hour. bile higher than 0°32 cc., we 
| | moe ~ | may conclude that, although 
ec ce. | 6 : : 
12 | 12 | rhubarb is a hepatic stimu- 
12 | | s’ on 0 
| 1:3 a 212 ce 1-2 | lant, it is not a powerful one 
| 1°2 1°3 : . 
= | 1-2 —a conclusion completely in 
2 | 15 ; 
| ie | 13 ' harmony with the results of 
| 15 | Walz e 
ee Nee coca’ observations onman. 2. The 
| 12 | ‘ A 
sere: ae bile, although secreted in 
12 1-4 é eae : 
| 8 15 0238 ce, increased quantity, had the 
: ie composition of normal bile 
1:4 /—— p iliar B 
ae a as regards the biliary con 
1 Aa stituents proper. 3. The 
doses which excited the liver 
had in one case no marked purgative effect, but in another case the purgative 
effect was considerable. 
ACTION OF SENNA. 
Senna is a well-known purgative agent. Probably no physician has ever 
ascribed to it any cholagogue property, and had not Rouric stated (Op. vi.) that 
it excites the liver as much as rhubarb, we should not have deemed its powers 
worthy of investigation, The ordinary infusion of senna of the “ British Pharma- 
