64 



Messrs. B. Moore and W. H. Parker. 



A comparison of the inactivity of ozone as a disinfectant in the 

 dry state with its action in the presence of water suggests a super- 

 ficial resemblance with other gases, such as chlorine and sulphur 

 dioxide. In the absence of further experiment, however, it would not 

 be possible to press the analogy too closely. 



In the dry state, and under the conditions in which it occurs in 

 nature, ozone, then, is not capable of any injurious action on bacteria 

 so far as can be judged from our experiments ; and we conclude that 

 any purifying action which ozone may have in the economy of nature 

 is due to the direct chemical oxidation of putrescible organic matter, 

 and that it does not in any way hinder the action of bacteria, which 

 latter are, indeed, in their own way, working towards the same end as 

 the ozone itself in resolving dead organic matter to simpler non- 

 putrescible substances. 



14 On the Functions of the Bile as a Solvent." By Benjamin 

 Moore and William H. Parker. Communicated by Professor 

 Schafeb, F.R.S. Eeceived January 24, — Eead February 14, 

 1901. 



The purpose of the biliary secretion and the uses of that fluid in 

 digestion and otherwise have furnished much material for discussion to- 

 the physiological chemist, and the discussion has given rise to many 

 ingenious but widely different theories. 



The bile, unlike ail the other digestive fluids which are secreted into 

 the alimentary canal, has no specific action upon any of the three 

 classes of food-stuffs. It contains small amounts of cholestearin and 

 lecithin, and of other substances which are obviously to be regarded 

 as excretory in character. It is necessary in the intestine for the com- 

 plete absorption of the fats in normal amount, but even in its absence 

 a considerable amount of fat can still be absorbed. The constituents 

 which it contains in solution in largest quantity are the sodium salts of 

 certain acids called the bile acids, and these bile salts are not excreted, 

 but are reabsorbed, and undergo a circulation in the blood known a& 

 the circulation of the bile. 



These few statements briefly summarise our experimental knowledge 

 as to the action and physiological properties of the bile, and have given 

 a basis to many theories. 



It has been argued by some from the fact that bile contains na 

 digestive enzyme, and from the presence in the fluid of certain con- 

 stituents which are certainly excretory, that the bile is to be regarded 

 purely as an excretion ; but this view gives no explanation of the re- 

 absorption of the bile salts, which are the most abundant constituent. 



