Bile

(bil). The substance secreted by the liver. It is mucilaginous, golden-brown in man, golden-red in carnivora, brownish-green in herbivora, and green in birds. It is composed of biliary salts, cholesterin, mucus, and certain pigments. The principal acids are taurocholic and glycocholic, both commonly combined with sodium. The taste of bile is intensely bitter; its reaction feebly alkaline, and its density from 1026 to 1032. It exercises a diastatic action on starch, emulsifies fats, and precipitates soluble peptone. Its composition varies, but according to Hoppe-Seyler, in 100 parts bile there are of Water, Parts. matter, Inorganic matter Organic 8.32 " Mucus, 1.29 " Taurocholate of sodium 0.87 " Glycocholate of sodium, 3.03 " Saponified fat, 1.39 " Cholesterin, 0.35 " Lecithin, 0.53 " Fat, 0.73 " B. Pigments, the coloring-matters of the bile. B. P., Tests for. See Tests, Table of.