102 



Scientific Proceedings (65). 



61 (993) 



The innervation of the gall-bladder. 



By Charles C. Lieb and John E. McWhorter. 



[From the Department of Pharmacology, College of Physicians and 

 Surgeons, N. Y. City.] 



There are at present two theories as to the innervation of the 

 gall-bladder. One is that supported by Doyon, who claims that 

 the motor fibers pass through the splanchnics; the other theory, 

 which is defended by Dale and Bainbridge, assumes that the motor 

 fibers are derived from the vagi and that the splanchnics carry 

 inhibitory impulses to the gall-bladder. 



It seemed that this problem could be definitely solved by a 

 study of the isolated gall-bladder. Although it is impossible in 

 such an experiment to excite the nerves directly by the electric 

 current, the same end result may be brought about by the em- 

 ployment of drugs. 



The effects of those drugs which stimulate the para-sympathetic 

 system may be regarded as analogous to the effects following elec- 

 trical excitation of the vagus. Epinephrine produces the same 

 effect as electrical stimulation of the splanchnic nerves. 



The experiments have demonstrated without question that both 

 physostigmine and pilocarpine stimulate the gall-bladder to 

 contract; that atropine promptly removes the action of pilocarpine 

 or physostigmine; that epinephrine, which has a specific action 

 upon the myoneural junctions of the true sympathetic system, 

 produces relaxation of the gall-bladder. 



The conclusions that have been arrived at are, therefore, that 

 the gall-bladder receives its motor impulses by way of the vagi 

 and its inhibitory impulses through the splanchnics. 



The effects of some other drugs have been incidentally exam- 

 ined. The nitrites and bile salts depress the smooth muscle of 

 the gall-bladder. The excitants of smooth muscle, as represented 

 by strophanthin and barium chloride, produce stimulation of the 

 gall-bladder. 



