PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF DRUGS ON THE SECRETION OF BILE. 185 
-. These analyses show that, notwithstanding the acceleration of secretion by 
ipecacuan, the percentage amount of the special biliary constituents remains 
unchanged. 
Results of Experiments with Ipecacuan—t1. Sixty grains of powdered 
ipecacuan mixed with a small quantity of bile and placed in the duodenum 
powerfully stimulated the liver. Even three grains had an effect on a dog 
weighing 6°8 kilogrammes very nearly as great as the effect of sixty grains on a 
dog weighing 27:2 kilogrammes ; the amount of bile secreted per kilogramme 
of dog being nearly the same in both cases. 2. The bile secreted under its 
influence was of normal composition as regards the biliary matter proper. 
3. No purgative effect was produced, but there was an increased secretion of 
mucus in the small intestine. The composition of the bile did not afford any 
evidence of an increased secretion of mucus having taken place from the glands 
of the bile-ducts. The sickness which ipecacuan is apt to induce will prevent 
its use as a hepatic stimulant in ordinary cases. 
The increased biliary flow that followed ipecacuan could not in these experi- 
ments be ascribed to any relaxation of “spasm of the bile-ducts,” for that no 
such thing existed was clearly shown by the free flow of the bile before the 
substance was given. Nor could it be-owing to contraction of the gall-bladder, 
for the cystic duct was clamped. Nor could it be ascribed to contraction of the 
bile-ducts, for the increased flow was far too prolonged to be attributable to 
any such cause. It is therefore certain that this substance, like the others, has 
the power of stimulating the secreting apparatus of the liver. This being now 
‘proved as regards the dog, it can scarcely be doubted that the modus operandi 
is the same in man. The results of these experiments will therefore lead to 
new speculations regarding the pathology of dysentery ; for every step towards 
greater accuracy of knowledge regarding the modus operandi of any therapeutic 
agent is certainly calculated to advance our knowledge of the true nature of the 
pathological condition that is relieved or cured by tt. 
ACTION OF COLOCYNTH. 
Colocynth and jalap are well known intestinal stimulants, but nothing is 
said in works on Materia Medica regarding their influence on the discharge of 
bile. Rouric, however (Op. vi. p. 240), investigated their action in the dog, 
and found that they excite the liver. He thought them so powerful that he 
placed them next to croton. oil in importance. We have already pointed out 
the faultiness of Rouric’s method, and have shown that croton oil is scarcely 
worthy of being classed amongst cholagogues. It seemed therefore desirable 
that we should experiment with colocynth and jalap in order to have results 
comparable with our experiments on jother substances. The maximum dose of 
colocynth pulp for a man is eight grains. 
VOL. XXIX. PART I. 3B 
