THE PROBLEM OF SODIUM SALICYLATE EXCRETION IN THE BILE'

In the course of studies on the excretion of various chemicals by the liver, it was discovered that sodium salicylate, and the sodium salt of diiodosalicylic acid did not appear in the bile of the rabbit, in determi-nable quantities, after intravenous administration of 4 cc. of a one per cent solution per kilogram of body weight (1). In view of the differ-ences of opinion regarding the action of sodium salicylate on the biliary system as a cholagogue and as a bactericide (2), it seemed desirable to investigate the excretion of this compound by the human subject. The following is a brief record of experiments on three patients: two of these were cholecystectomized, and subsequently drained bile through their common hepatic duct; while one drained bile through a cholecystostomy. METHOD All three patients received by mouth a single dose of 20 mgm. of sodium salicylate per kilogram of body weight. Samples of bile and urine were obtained before administration of the compound, and sub-sequently the bile and urine were collected at specified intervals for a period of 12, 40 and 64 hours respectively. The following method was employed to determine the presence of sodium salicylate: Treat 10 cc. bile (or urine) with 90 cc. saturated sodium bicarbonlate solution. Extract the alkaline solution with 200 cc. redistilled ethyl ether three times. Discard the ether extract. Neutralize the alkaline solution with 7 N sulphuric acid, using congo red paper as an indicator