164 PROFESSOR RUTHERFORD ON THE 
on the intestinal glands, it was obviously important to ascertain the effect 
which a purely intestinal stimulant has on the bile-secreting mechanism. The 
following experiments with magnesium sulphate, castor-oil, gamboge, and 
ammonium chloride afford conclusive evidence regarding this point of great 
importance in practical medicine; regarding which it ought to be observed 
that, although the physician has correctly pointed out that certain substances 
increase the discharge of bile, he has never detected the fact that purely 
intestinal purgatives diminish the biliary flow. Nor is this surprising, for, 
when the fecal matters are much diluted by secretion from the intestinal 
glands, it is impossible from their appearance to say whether or not the 
normal quantity of bile has been discharged into the duodenum. 
ACTION OF MAGNESIUM SULPHATE. 
Experiment 18. Dog that had fasted seventeen hours. Weight 5:4 kilo- 
erammes (fig. 18). 
Necropsy.—Great purgative action in upper half of small intestine. 
Mucous membrane intensely reddened. | 
Experiment 19. Dog that had fasted seventeen hours. Weight 8°2 kilo- 
grammes (fig. 19). 
05 
Fig. 19.—-Secretion of bile before and after mag- 
nesium sulphate. 60 grains in 12 cc. water 
at m. 60 grains in 6 cc. water at m’, m’”, 
Nig. —Secretion of bile before and after mag- Ly Ss 
ME ea fae RZ av”, and 120 grains in 12 ce. water at m’”, 
nesium sulphate. 60 grains in 6 cc. water 
: all injected into duodenum (360 grains given 
injected into duodenum at m, m’, and m’ J ( 8 8 
: : - in all). 
{180 grains given in all). 
Necropsy.—Small intestine contained 90 cc. of fluid, whereas only 42 ce. 
had been injected. There was, therefore, evidence of decided purgation, and 
there was intense irritation of the mucous membrane in the upper half of the 
small intestine. 
Result of Experiments with Magnesium Sulphate.—Experiments 18, and 
more especially 19, show that magnesium sulphate does not increase but, on 
the contrary, lessens the biliary secretion. The fall in secretion was probably 
due to an indirect effect of the action of the substance on the intestinal glands. 
