220 PROFESSOR RUTHERFORD ON THE 
benzoic acid in suppressed action of the liver and uremia. Dr Wap of 
Birmingham employs benzoic acid in cases of catarrh of the bile-ducts ; and we 
owe to the deep interest which he has taken in this research the valuable sug- 
gestion that we should endeavour to furnish a rational theory for the use of this 
agent in hepatic affections, by ascertaining whether or not it hasthe power of 
‘stimulating the liver. For a man, the dose of benzoic acid is from ten to thirty 
grains ; that of benzoate of ammonia, from ten to twenty grains. Benzoate of 
soda has been employed by SocqueTt and BonsEAN (Woop and Bacug, Op. x: 
p. 1471) as a remedy for gout and rheumatism; but we have not been able to 
ascertain the dose given. Probably the dose of the sodium is similar to that of 
the ammonium salt. 
Experiment 63. Dog that had fasted seventeen hours. Weight 14:3 kilo- 
erammes (fig. 63).—Fifteen grains of benzoic acid, partially dissolved in 
20 cc. of water, were injected into the duodenum at 6. A slight increase of 
Experiment 63. 
Secretion of bile 
Secretion of bile | per kilogramme 
per 15”. of dog: per 
hour. 
I 0228 ce. 
1°30 0°332 ce. 
bs 
acid and sodium, benzoate. 15 grains of benzoic 2°35 
acid in 20 ce. of water injected into the duo- 2-05 
denum at 6; 20 grains of sodium benzoate in 21 
10 ce. of water injected at ds. - 
2 
Fig. 63.—Secretion of bile before and after benzoic ee 
0°646 ce. 
the bile-secretion ensued; but:it was not thought judicious to repeat the 
benzoic acid, owing to the fallacy that would have arisen from the effect of the 
large quantity of water required for its solution. Accordingly, twenty grains 
of sodium benzoate—an extremely soluble substance—dissolved in 10 cc. of 
water, were injected at bs, and a very powerful stimulation of the liver was the 
result, the coefficient of secretion rising as high as 0°646 cc. of bile per kilo- 
gramme of body-weight per hour. 
