The pressure of bile secretion and the mechanism of bile absorption in obstruction of the bile duct

Abstract

In the course of a series of experiments which were made for the purpose of determining the mode of entry of bile into the lymphatics of the liver during obstruction of the common bile into the lymphatics of the liver during obstruction of the common bile duct we had occasion to measure the pressure of bile secretion in several animals. Our results were so different from the figures generally given that we have ascertained the maximum pressure of bile secretion in a number of dogs, cats and rabbits, in two guinea-pigs, and in two monkeys. The first part of the present paper deals with the pressure of bile secretion; in the second part the mechanism and site of bile absorption are discussed. We are indebted to Professor Schäfer for help and advice in our work. The expenses of the research have been defrayed by a grant from the Moray Fund for the prosecution of research in the University of Edinburgh.