THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF SALIVARY GLANDS TO NEWBORN RATS

Abstract

Removal of both submaxil-lary and both major sublingual glands obligation of their ducts in newborn or wk.-old rats results in death within 5 days. Removal of any combination Of 3 of the 4 glands does not interfere with normal development. Death following salivary gland removal is probably associated with a disturbance of some mechanical factor in the feeding process rather than with some chemical phase of the physiology of digestion, since operated young force-fed with cow''s milk are able to survive. Observations revealing insecure nipple attachment of young rats from which the 4 salivary glands have been removed suggest an interference with muscular function in the act of suckling or swallowing or both.