506 



Mr. A. W. Mayo Robson. On the [Apr. 24, 



4 gr. of iridin gave an effect not so pronounced, the increased flow 

 being intermittent. Apparently, the action of iridin is to increase 

 the flow temporarily, without augmenting the total quantity in 

 twenty-four hours. 



Turpentine. — Messrs. Prevost and Binet state that turpentine and 

 its derivatives promote a notable increase in the excretion. In order 

 to test this, a turpentine capsule containing 15 min. of the oil of 

 turpentine was given every four hours night and day. 



On Jan. 18th, no drug given. 27 oz. 6 dr. 35 min. were excreted 

 in twenty-four hours. On Jan. 19th and 20th, during the adminis- 

 tration of turpentine capsules, 28 oz. 5 dr. 41 min. were excreted, 

 that is, an increase of 7 dr. During the following twenty-four hours, 

 the capsules being continued, 30 oz. 2 dr. 10 min. were excreted. 



During the third period of twenty-four hours with the capsules 

 26 oz. 57 min. were excreted ; and during the fourth twenty-four 

 hours 27 oz. 45 min. 



Therefore, although an increase was apparent on the second day, 

 the daily amount of bile discharged in the twenty-four hours was not 

 so much as on many days when no turpentine was being given, as, 

 for instance, on Oct. 27th and 29th, when it was over 30 oz. 



Benzoate of Soda. — Messrs. Prevost and Binet state that the 

 administration of benzoate of soda to dogs increased the amount of 

 bile to two or three times the normal. This I do not find to be the 

 result in Case I, as the table and charts appended will show, where 

 no positive increase is seen. 



Conclusions. 



First. — The bile is probably chiefly excrementitious, and, like the 

 urine, is constantly being formed and cast out. 



Secondly. — Though the bile probably assists in the absorption of 

 fats, its presence in the intestine is not necessary for the digestion of 

 such an amount of fat as is capable of supporting life and keeping 

 up nutrition. 



Thirdly. — Increase in body weight and good health are quite com- 

 patible with the entire absence of bile from the intestines. 



Fourthly. — The antiseptic properties of the bile are unimportant. 



Fifthly. — Whatever little antiseptic quality bile may have is pro- 

 bably derived from its admixture with the gall-bladder fluid. 



Sixthly. — The supposed stimulating effect of the bile on the intes- 

 tinal walls is not necessary for a regular action of the bowels. 



Seventhly. — The quantity of bile excreted in the twenty-four hours, 

 during health in a person of average weight, may vary between 

 39 oz. 4 dr. and "5 oz. 6 dr., with an average of 30 oz., less the 

 2\ oz. of fluid secreted by the gall-bladder. 



