THE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY. 265 



ler classified the' components of cod-liver oil as follows : Hydrocarbons ; 

 oxygen compounds ; combinations of oxygen compounds ; oxygen cyclo- 

 compounds ; halogen compounds ; sulphur compounds ; nitrogen 

 compounds; proteids ; ptoniains and leucomains ; toxins and antitoxins; 

 ferments. The oil which he studied is one peculiarly free from pu- 

 trefactive compounds, on account of it being made at once from the 

 fresh livers, and is peculiarly free from adulterations such as might 

 arise from the use of the livers of other fish, as in the Norwegian waters 

 during the cod season practically no other fish exist. The cod abound 

 and destroy all other fish, whereas, in the Newfoundland, Massachusetts, 

 Scotland and Russian fisheries the cod, the pike, the haddock, the ling; 

 the whiting, and many others, even the shark, are frequently caught and 

 their livers are probably used in the preparation of the oil. How much 

 more complicated may be the chemical composition of such a mixture, 

 especially when subjected to the usual putrefactive processes, I know 

 not. 



As to what may be the active principle or principles of this com- 

 plex body there has been much discussion, and we seem to be as far 

 from a satisfactory solution as half a century ago. At various times 

 various ingredients have been so designated, in their turn the title has 

 been given to the supposed alkaloids, to the morrhuol, the iodine and 

 bromine, to the trimethylamine, to the contained fat, to the phosphorus, 

 as well as to many other of its constituents. No doubt it has no 

 single body which can represent the sum total of its activities, but must 

 be considered as a complex organic body whose therapeutic effects, 

 while evident, are yet withal a multiple action. 



The therapeutic virtues of cod-liver oil are within certain lines 

 peculiar to itself. Its effects on patients with struma, scrofula, tuber- 

 culosis, syphilis, rheumatism, gout, rachitic and nervous aft'ections, as 

 well as on sufferers from wasting diseases, are marked and typical ; 

 no other agent producing exactly the same effects, no other oil or combi- 

 nation of oils or of other constituents bringing about the same general 

 results. Its alterative, tissue-building and tissue-repairing, as well 

 as general nourishing qualities are marvelous, but as to just how these 

 results are brought about we can but theorize. 



In partial explanation of its action is the fact that in the case of 

 no other known oil are osmosis and endosmosis so rapid. It is 

 emulsified more rapidly than any other known fat in the presence of 

 pancreatic juice and glycerin without any gum. It is thus more 

 easily digested than any other known oil and possesses, therefore, 

 greater nutrient qualities. If this were all of its beneficial proper- 

 ties it would in its sphere be without a peer, but when, in addition to 



