Botes on preparations for tbe Sicfc.
Tannalbin-Knoll.?B. Kuhn, London.?This is an albuminate
of tannin ; it is a pale yellow powder, tasteless, which resists the
action of gastric juice, but decomposes slowly in the intestine.
A dose of one gramme, three or four times a day, has been of
use in cases of diarrhoea.
NOTES ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE SICK. 287
Tabloids: Ox Bile, gr. iv.; Salivary Gland Substance, gr. v.;
Liver Substance, gr. v.; Kidney Substance, gr. v.; Fallopian
Tube Substance, gr. v.; Spinal Cord Substance, gr. iiss.; Cervical
Lymphatic Gland Substance, gr. iij.; Pineal Gland, gr. j.?
Burroughs, Wellcome & Co., London.?Many other glands and
organic substances are laid under contribution by this firm to
supply them with tabloids. It appears to be assumed that every
tissue and organ of the body furnishes an internal secretion which
exercises an important influence upon the process of metabolism,
and hence it is inferred that small doses of those tissues and
organs given in the form of a tabloid made up of the dried
substance of the tissues or organ, containing therefore the
substance itself of the gland or tissue, and having within it all
the active constituents of the tissue concerned, must be of value
in the treatment of many diseases.
Of the uses of the thyroid in myxoedema, and of the uses of
blood serum as an antitoxin in diphtheria, we need no longer
have any hesitation or doubt; but when it is assumed that
because of the results in those two instances we may infer like
results from many other organic bodies, we have yet to ask for
the evidence in favour of their utility.
We cannot but suspect that in the case of many of these sub-
stances the mystic and the mythical are being allowed to serve
for evidence. Surely in the theories underlying the administra-
tion of these substances we have dreams of a wilder character
than any of those which have been imputed to Hahnemann.
Pure Cod Liver Oil.?Peter Moller, London.?By many
people the mere suggestion of cod liver oil is at once
declined with something resembling disgust, and no wonder
when the patient has been deluged with the stronger and much
flavoured as well as malodorous varieties of the oil of the
Gadus Morrhua, charged with decomposition products of
albumen which are derived from the putrefaction of liver tissues
and by the oxidation of free fatty acids.
By Peter Moller's method the livers are used while fresh,
and the oil is extracted by steam, every stage of the manufacture
being conducted under an atmosphere of carbonic acid gas.
The product is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, and is free
from the decomposition products of both albumens and fats.
Ninety-six per cent, of this oil consists of glycerides, peculiar
to cod liver oil: they are the so-called "active principle,"
which are extracted "pure and simple," and have to be pro-
tected from their special liability to oxidation. It is interesting
and important to know that any other " active principles" are
impurities with which the oil has been contaminated by the
putrefaction of the liver and the subsequent oxidation of the
extract: these are mostly ptomaines, and are more or less
powerful poisons. (See Cod Liver Oil and Chemistry, which we
reviewed in September, 1895.)
288 NOTES ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE SICK.
Trommer's Extract of Malt with Cod Liver Oil. Trommer's
Extract of Malt with Hypophosphites.?The Trommer Extract
of Malt Company, Fremont, Ohio.?Messrs. Francis Newbery
and Sons have sent us samples of these preparations which
have obtained a considerable degree of popularity. Experiment
shews that they have a high degree of diastasic activity, and
they are as palatable as such sticky preparations can be made.
Keros.?Bouillon Fleet Limited, London.?There seems
to be no end to the varieties of fluid beef. This is a viscid fluid,
which after it is diluted to i in 10 shows a specific gravity of
1040. The analysis of Dr. A. B. Griffiths, F.C.S., gives the
following results:?
Moisture   1500 I Albumen   26.24
Fibrine   40.06 | Salts  18.70
The fluid gives an abundant precipitation with heat and
nitric acid; also with picric acid it amounts to 1 per cent, after
diluting to 1 in 10. It contains much haemoglobin, and under
the microscope shews a considerable quantity of starch granules
distorted by heat, which appear to be from either wheat or
barley, probably the latter. Why should this be ? It is a
highly nutritive fluid, and is more palatable than most meat
extracts; but the starch does not appear in the analysis, and
its presence in quantity perhaps accounts for the apparent over
estimate of the amount of albuminous matter and fibrine.
Liebig's Extract of Meat and Malt Wine.?Stephen Smith
and Co., London.?The Lancet analysis shows: Alcohol, 12.62
per cent.; extractives, 12.84 Per cent.; mineral matter, 0.77 per
cent. Of the extractives it was found that 1.22 parts consisted
of nitrogenous principles. It is a pleasant fluid to drink, and
must have a considerable value as a stimulant, as well as a
minor degree of tissue-building nutrient utility.
L L "Whisky.?Kinahan & Co., Dublin.?In order to secure
a permanent supply, his Grace the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
in the year 1807 ordered that the whole of a large vat contain-
ing the spirit should be reserved for his use. The letters
L L, Lord Lieutenant, with coronet over, were forthwith
painted on the vai and this particular description of spirit has
ever since been known under the above designation. It is of
one uniform quality, and is bottled exclusively by Messrs.
Kinahan & Co. The spirit has an excellent flavour, and
aroma, it contains practically no extractives, and its acidity
is almost nil.
LIBRARY. 289
Metal Aseptic Hypodermic Syringe.?Down Bros., London.?
The advantage of having in a hypodermic syringe a piston rod
made of some permanent material which is not liable to get out
of order, and is also capable of sterilisation by boiling, is at
once apparent. In this syringe a metal barrel is substituted for
the usual one of glass, which admits of being ground accurately
inside to fit the piston rod, and works with perfect smoothness
when lubricated with vaseline. An additional advantage in the
metal barrel is that it is not liable to breakage, and that it can
be boiled without fear of detaching the mounts. The syringe is
supplied with either steel or platinum iridium needles, and put
up in a neat metal case.


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