M. MATERIA MEDICA, THERAPEUTICS, AND HYGIENE.5T5 



On treating these glycerine extracts, after filtering, with a 

 large excess of alcohol, a precipitate is obtained, which, sepa- 

 rated by filtration, and being redissolved in acidulated water, 

 has strong peptic qualities, with very slight proteid reaction. 

 Mr. Foster, in calling attention to this method in Nature, 

 dwells upon the importance of glycerine in this and similar 

 applications in working out the problems of the so-called fer- 

 ments, as these glycerine extracts seem to remain unchanged 

 for a long period, thus allowing a stock of ferment to be con- 

 tinually kept on hand. He also remarks that the tissues, by 

 repeated application of glycerine, may be exhausted of their 

 ferment, and yet be changed but little, if at all, in other re- 

 spects. 12 A, December 29, 168. 



ACTION OF BROMIDE OF POTASSIUM. 



Since the first introduction of bromide of potassium into 

 the materia medica, there has been a great diversity of opin- 

 ion in regard to its value as a remedy, some praising it ex- 

 travagantly, and others denying it any specific virtue. Most 

 writers, however, are .satisfied that, judiciously administered, 

 it is a substance of very great merit, although its mode of 

 operation is even yet not entirely understood. According to 

 Dr. Arnory, its effects are produced by the direct action on 

 the blood-vessels, or the vaso-motor system which controls 

 the action of these vessels, and he thinks that this action will 

 account for and explain all the physiological and therapeuti- 

 cal influences of the drug. He states that the bromide is eas- 

 ily absorbed by the mucous membrane and by the skin, pro- 

 vided the water in which it is dissolved is below the temper- 

 ature of 75; that its elimination is conducted by the skin 

 and the kidneys, and that in therapeutical doses it is not elim- 

 inated by the intestines or the lungs ; that it passes out of 

 the skin without decomposition ; that the larger the dose, the 

 more intense *and enduring the influence in the vaso-motor 

 system ; and that its action in the general nervous system is 

 consequently dependent upon that of the vaso-motor nerves, 

 upon which it acts as a sedative. The highest value of the 

 remedy as a medicine is said to lie in its remedial powers over 

 epilepsy, being of signal service in the vast'majority of cases, 

 while absolutely curing very many, and rarely failing to di- 

 minish the number and violence of the attacks^vhere it does 



