400 



H. T. Brown and J. Heron, 



[May 13, 



Action of various portions of the Small Intestine upon Starch. 



The action of the tissue of the small intestine upon starch-paste, as 

 upon cane-sugar, is decidedly more energetic than that of its aqueous 

 infusion. Limpidity of the starch-paste is, however, not rapidly 

 brought about, and when produced, the resulting soluble starch is 

 very stable, and resists any sensible hydrolysation for a considerable 

 time. 



Strictly comparative experiments upon the amylolytic power" of 

 the various parts of the intestine were made in the following 

 manner : — 



30 grms. of potato-starch were gelatinised with 1000 cub. centims. 

 of water, and 1 cub. centim. of malt-extract was added to the resulting 

 starch-paste after cooling to 60° C. The moment limpidity was pro- 

 duced, the further action of this trace of malt-extract was arrested by 

 boiling. The liquid, filtered perfectly bright on cooling, and containing, 

 besides soluble starch, only a trace of erythrodextrin and maltose, was 

 analysed ; its specific gravity, optical activity, and cupric-oxide reducing 

 power being determined. The solution was divided into portions 

 measuring 100 cub. centims., into each of which were immersed 5 grms. 

 of the dried and finely divided intestine. The various experimental 

 liquids were digested under exactly similar conditions, in the water- 

 bath at 40° C. 



The portions of the intestine taken were as follows, the animal from 

 which they were derived being a young pig, killed during active 

 digestion of starchy food. 



(1.) A portion of the duodenum taken immediately below the 

 pylorus, and containing numerous Brunner's glands, which were very 

 apparent in this case owing to active digestion being in progress at the 

 time of the animal's death. 



(2.) Lower portion of the duodenum not containing any Brunner's 

 glands. 



(3.) Agminated Peyer's glands taken from the jejunum. 



(4.) Portions of the jejunum not containing any Peyer's patches. 



(5.) Portions of the ileum, taken at the distance of a few inches 

 from the ileo-csecal valve. 



The solutions gave the following iodine reactions, the dilute iodine 

 solution being slowly added in each case up to an excess ; thus ensuring 

 the detection of any erythrodextrin. 



After digestion for fifteen minutes — all deep blue — no production 

 of erythrodextrin. 



After thirty minutes — a very slight production of erythrodextrin in 

 all. 



After forty-five minutes — all gave a violet reaction. From the 

 larger amount of iodine solution requisite to produce a permanent 



