A Hormone Mechanism for Gall-bladder Contrag Tion and Evacuation

The numerous reports in the literature showing the marked efficacy of fats, egg-yolk and meat protein in emptying the gall bladder convinced us that the effect of %ecretin” on the evacuation and motor activity of the gall bladder should be studied, since it is well known that these substances stimulate the pancrew, and that “secretin” (very impure solutions) promotes the formation of bile. With this objective in mind, we have performed several series of experiments, the results of which prove, we believe, that a hormone mechanism is concerned in gall-bladder contraction and evacuation. For some time Ivy, Kloster and Lueth (1927) have been working on the purification of 3ecretin” for the purpose of perfecting a pancreatic function test for man. In our work we have used the preparations prepared for us by them. The solutions furnished us were “highly purified,” were vasodilatin-free, and have had no objective deleterious action when injected intravenously in succ&ion in anesthetized or unanesthetized animals. In a search of the literature it has been found that several investigators have attempted to determine whether or not a humoral mechanism is concerned in gall bladder evacuation. Boyden (1926a) found that the transfusion of blood of fed or starved cats caused a partiai evacuation of the gall bladder. He does not state that he tested the compatibility of the blood of the cats used. He interpreted the results of hi8 experiments on this phase of the gall bladder question as meaning that the *gall bladder is sensitive to bodily conditions which effect changes in the circula&ng blqod. Whitaker (1926) injected doses of “secretin” prepared by the BaylissStarlin& method with negative results. Copher and Illingworth (1926) ‘mjected “secretin” with negative results; but they do not state’ the method by which the “Becretin” used by them was prepared. Brugsch and Horsters (1926) placed a coridom balloon in the gall bladder of dogs and found that 10 cc. of a preparation of Dale and Laidlaw (1912-13) “secretin” caused a confraction and rhythmic changes of the gall bladder, and “hypo-