THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 125 



BARIUM SULPHATE MERCK, FREE FROM SOLUBLE 

 BARIUM SALTS, FOR X-RAY DIAGNOSIS. 



In consequence of the toxic symptoms which have been observed 

 to occur in some cases after taking large doses of bismuth muci- 

 lage in the X-ray examination of the esophagus and stomach nu- 

 merous experiments have been made by X-ray workers to find a 

 perfectly harmless, and at the same time satisfactory, substitute 

 for bismuth. Recently, the use of barium sulphate has been 

 warmly recommended for this purpose; it is insoluble in water 

 and in acids, and trials made on man have demonstrated its harm- 

 lessness, as it passes through the stomach and intestine-- un- 

 changed, and there is no unpleasant action whatever. 



A barium meal suitable for examination of the stomach and in- 

 testines by X-ray is prepared by boiling a mixture of 5 oz. of 

 barium sulphate, T / 2 oz. of mondamin, \A oz. of sugar, and -, ; oz. 

 of cocoa, with 18 ozs. of water. For determining the condition of 

 the esophagus and for stomach examination, the content of barium 

 sulphate in the meal may be increased to 40 per cent. 



Caution is necessary when using barium sulphate for X-ray diag- 

 nosis, as only a pure product should be employed, and it must be 

 absolutelv free from soluble salts of barium, the presence of which. 

 even in small quantities, produces toxic effects. For internal ad- 

 ministration in X-ray diagnosis. Merck now supplies a special 



v 



prepared product under the designation 



Barium Sulphate Merck 

 Fxtra Pure, Free from Soluble Barium Salts for X-Ray Diagnosis. 

 The product is carefully analyzed before being supplied, in order 

 to guarantee the absence of soluble salts of barium. To avoid 

 confusion, all orders should read "Barium sulphate Merck for X- 

 Rav Diagnosis." 



i &>' 



An American lady, possessing youth and beauty but not a defi- 

 nite knowledge of French, hailed a fiacre in Paris recently, and 

 having previously looked up the word "engaged." said to the 

 cocher: "Etes vous fiance?" To which, with an amusing shrug of 

 his shoulders, he replied, politely: "Mais non, mademoiselle." 

 Upon which the fair one quickly added, "Eh! bien. prenez moi !" — 

 The Gentlewoman. 



