g 2 THE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY. 



In the case of the patient McD. it appeared in twenty-seven minutes. 



The delay in the appearance of the iodine in the saliva over the delay 

 usually met with is duo to the time required for the cachet to he dis- 

 solved and set free the iodide of potassium in the stomach. The use of the 

 cachet was, however, necessary in order that the drug- might be given in 

 a soluble form, and yert not remain in the mouth even as a trace. 



The same patients several days later, after all trace of iodine had dis r 

 appeared from the saliva, received a second set of cachets, in each of which 

 were placed not only three grains of potassium iodide, but in addition one 

 -rain of powdered capsicum, and the results reached were as follows: 



The patient <i. D. gave the iodine reaction in nineteen minutes, or ten 

 minutes sooner than befor< . 



The patient I'>. gave it in twenty-nine minutes, or six minutes earlier 



The patient L. gave it in nine minutes, or ten minutes earlier than be- 

 fore. 



The patient McD. gave it in forty-five minutes, or eighteen minute- 

 later than before. 



Whether this last result depends upon the unknown prior ingestion of 

 food or drink could not be discovered. 



In order to make a control experiment with this case, another test, was 

 made several days later, after all iodine had disappeared from the saliva.. 

 vith the result that the fist was developed in seventeen minutes a gain 

 of ten minutes over the test without the capsicum. 



It is evident, therefore, that the use of a gastric stimulant aids very 

 inati rially in the absorption of the other drug, and the moral would seem 

 to he that whenever it is possible it is well to combine with a drug some 

 gastric stimulant to aid in its absorption. This is particularly necessary 

 it there is any reason to believe that the stomach is in a state of atony, as- 

 evidenced by a, relaxed tongue and a history of excessive eating or drinking 

 or chronic catarrh. 



Iodide of potassium is a drug which lends itself readily to such experi- 

 ments, hut it is probable that other remedies could he studied equalh 

 eadily. 



