TOXICITY OF PURIFIED BILE PREPARATIONS

Abstract

In a previous paper¹ we reported on the toxic effects of purified bile salts on the neuromuscular system. We found the neuromuscular junctions and reflex centers of the cord to be affected by small quantities of bile salts, whereas the skeletal muscle was relatively unaffected by similar amounts of the salts. We have investigated other nerve endorgans or junctions and reflex centers. In 1905 Meltzer and Salant² first showed that the intravenous injection of bile increased the response to peripheral stimulation of the vagus in anesthetized rabbits. In some of their experiments stimuli which were subminimal became effective after the intravenous injection of bile. They did not determine the quantity of bile acids contained in the bile. However, the content was sufficient to cause a marked fall in the blood pressure. King and Stewart³ suggested that the bradycardia frequently seen in chronic jaundice is due to the