PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF DRUGS ON THE SECRETION OF BILE. 223 
into benzoic acid and glycin, suggested that the hippuric acid consequent upon 
the ingestion of benzoic acid arises from the union of that substance with glycin. 
Seeing that the two bile-acids—glycocholic and taurocholic acids—are conju- 
gates of cholalic acid with glycin and taurin respectively, the thought naturally 
arose that the formation of hippuric acid by the conjugation of benzoic acid 
with glycin probably takes place in the liver. This theory of the seat of its 
formation was supported by Ktune and Hatiwacus (Op. xv.) ; but, on the 
other hand, Meissner and SHEPARD (Op. xvi.) maintained that the transforma- 
tion of the benzoic acid takes place more in the kidneys than in the liver, and 
this opinion is supported by SCHMIEDEBERG and BuNGE (Op. xvii.). The evidence 
adduced by Ktune in favour of the liver as the exclusive seat of formation, or 
that by the other observers in favour of the kidney, need not here be entered 
into, for no light would thereby be thrown on the fact that, while benzoic acid 
is allying itself with glycin and carrying this substance into the urine, the 
hepatic cells are stimulated to produce more bile. In reviewing this subject, 
we have to express our regret that the bile was not analysed in the last two 
experiments, for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not its percentage 
amount of glycocholic acid was diminished, and to find out whether or not 
hippuric acid is excreted by the liver as well as by the kidney.* 
ACTION OF SODIUM SALICYLATE. 
Scarcely anything is known regarding the physiological actions of salicylic 
acid. BERTAGNINI (quoted in Op. xviii. p. 696) took 100 grains within two days 
in 4-erain doses, and felt nothing but ringing in the ears and some degree of 
deafness. He observed that the acid was excreted in the urine in the form of 
salicyluric acid. It is known that this is a conjugate of salicylic acid and 
glycin. The formula of benzoic acid is, C;H,O,; that of salicylic acid, C;H,O). 
Their near chemical alliance and their similar behaviour towards glycin rendered 
it probable that salicylic acid, like benzoic acid, excites the hepatic cells. This 
substance has been lately much employed as a remedy in acute rheumatism. 
The dose for a man is from 15 to 20 grains. 
Experiments 54, 60, and 62, already detailed, furnish abundant evidence of 
the remarkable powers of sodium salicylate as a stimulant of the liver, and 
other experiments yet to be described (Experiments 65, 67, ‘714, and 73) 
furnish evidence still more striking ; indeed, this substance is a certain hepatic 
stimulant, never failing, when placed in the duodenum, to excite the liver 
* Since the above was written we have ascertained that Mosier (Op. iii. p. 45) found, from 
several experiments on adog with a permanent fistula, that when 60 and even 90 grains of benzoic 
acid are administered by the mouth, no hippuric acid is found in the bile. It is singular that he did 
not collect and measure the bile secreted daily, otherwise he would doubtless have anticipated our 
discovery of the stimulating effect of benzoic acid on the liver. 
