212 PROFESSOR RUTHERFORD ON THE 
could not be ascribed to the menispermin. Indeed, the chart of this experiment 
(fig. 56) simply shows the normal curve of bile-secretion in a fasting animal. 
Necropsy.—The mucous membrane of the upper third of the small intestine 
was slightly reddened, and there was evidence of decided purgative action ; for, 
while only 16 cc. of fluid had been injected, the small intestine contained 
170 cc. of yellowish fluid containing much mucus. 
Result of Experiments with Menispermin.—This substance is an intestinal, 
but not a hepatic, stimulant. 
ACTION OF RESINA BAPTISLE OR ‘‘ BAPTISIN.” 
The substance termed “ baptisin”” is an impure resin prepared from the root 
of the wild indigo plant (Baptista tinctoria) after the same manner as meni- 
spermin. The specimen employed in these experiments was obtained from 
Keith & Co. of New York. The root of this plant is said to be a powerful 
emetic and cathartic in large, and a mild laxative in small, doses. STEVENS of 
Pennsylvania recommends a decoction of the root in epidemic dysentery. It is 
said to have proved useful in scarlatina, typhus fever, and in that state of the 
system that attends mortification (Op. x. p. 1469). The physiological actions 
of this plant have apparently not been investigated, and it is nowhere stated that 
it is a cholagogue. The dose of baptisin for a man is from one to five grains. 
In Experiment 55 it has already been shown that baptisin increases the 
biliary secretion ; but, as in that experiment its administration followed that of 
menispermin, it was desirable to give baptisin first in another experiment. 
Experiment 57. Dog that had fasted seventeen hours. Weight 18-7 kilo- 
Experiment 57. 
- Secretion of || Vise Secretion of 
person. bile per kilo- || Sa bes bile per kilo- 
la ate P gramme of 15” P gramme of 
: dog: per hour. : dog: per honr. 
ce. ce. 
0°75 1:30 0'296 ce. 
0°80 1°25 
0°55 7 — 
0°60 1:15 
0°75 } 115 
0°65 ‘ 0°95 
0°40 0°85 
Fig. 57. Secretion of bile before and after baptisin and lead | Oat | 7 wae 
acetate. 7 grains of baptisin, with 2 cc. of bile and 5 ce. 0°50 0°55 
of water, injected into the duodenum at; 8 grains of lead 0°75 | 0°50 
acetate in 15 ce. of water injected at7 ; 12 grains in 25 ce. ‘ : 
of warm water at 7’ 1°35 | O25 0098 cc. 
Wetas a 1°45 0°296 ce. 0°40 
1°45 0°50 
grammes (fig. 57..—Seven grains of baptisin triturated with 2 cc. of bile and j 
5 cc. of water were injected into the duodenum at b. In half an hour its | 
