EXPULSION OF ITS CONTENTS AS A FUNCTION OF THE GALLBLADDER

Abstract

Certian physiologic activities of the gallbladder became susceptible of clinical study when Graham and Cole devised a method for the roentgenographic visualization of this organ. Its two proved actions are concentration of the bile within it and discharge of its contents at certain periods, particularly during the digestion of fat. Both these functions are utilized now in estimating the condition of the gallbladder by cholecystography. In a well conducted intravenous test, the entire failure of visualization or the presence of an extremely faint shadow constitutes excellent evidence of a pathologic condition of the gallbladder, except in extremely severe disease of the liver, obstruction of the biliary system, and in those rare instances of absence of the gallbladder. Many of the cases in which the clinical picture is frankly that of cholecystic disease fall into this group. However, in the diagnostic problem, when help from cholecystography is especially important, the shadow