The Elimination of Caffein in the Bile. 155 



variably fatal. Experiments with 2.5 cubic centimeters per kilo 

 administered in 2 per cent, suspension in water, failed to cause 

 any symptons. Experiments were also made on rabbits. Amyl 

 acetate was given by mouth in aqueous suspension or dissolved 

 in neutral olive oil. Five cubic centimeters of amyl acetate given 

 by mouth to rabbits weighing about 1,500 grams did not produce 

 any symptons in any of the animals experimented upon, except 

 one in which the dose proved fatal within 24 hours after its ad- 

 ministration. The effect of amyl acetate on blood pressure was 

 studied in dogs. One cubic centimeter injected directly into the 

 circulation within 25 seconds caused a fall of blood pressure 

 amounting to 56 per cent. When the vagi were eliminated the 

 fall of blood pressure was still greater. In both instances there 

 was a marked slowing of the pulse. 



99 (509) 



The elimination of caffein in the bile. 1 

 By W. SALANT and W. 0. EMERY. 



[From the Bureau of Chemistry, U. S. Department of Agriculttire.] 



The elimination of caffein and its products of decomposition 

 in the urine has been studied by a number of investigators, in 

 dogs, rabbits and in man. Its presence in the digestive secretions 

 has been recently made the subject of a special investigation in this 

 laboratory. It was found in the bile removed from the gall bladder 

 of a number of dogs poisoned with caffein. In every case ap- 

 preciable quantities were found. A dog which was given 1.5 

 grams of caffein by mouth died four hours later. The bile removed 

 from the gall bladder contained 4.4 milligrams of caffein. Similar 

 results were obtained in other experiments. Experiments made 

 on rabbits with temporary bile fistula have shown that the elimi- 

 nation of caffein likewise takes place by this path in these animals. 

 Caffein was found in the bile two hours after its subcutaneous 

 injection. 



'Published by permission of the Secretary of Agriculture. 



