Effect of Living Gall Bladder on Human Biliary Calculi.

Abstract

To determine the effect of the normal living gallbladder upon biliary calculi, the gallbladders of 8 normal dogs were opened under surgical anesthesia and asepsis and stones from human bladders, too large to pass through the canine ducts, were inserted. The stones chosen were of the compact variety made up of bile pigments, calcium, iron, and, in some, cholesterol. The experimental animals were confined in laboratory cages and were given a regular mixed diet. After an average duration of 60 days in these 8 dogs, the stones had diminished in size in 3 and had disappeared in 5.