dissolved in the acid digestive juices of the stomach. Moreover, in 

 the solution of this capsule the whole of the preservative is not dis- 

 charged at once into the contents of the stomach, but the capsule dis- 

 solving at different points presents gradually increasing surfaces at 

 which solution of its contents may take place, and this, in connection 

 with the peristaltic action of the stomach, results in a complete incor- 

 poration of the preservative with the food in the stomach in a 

 reasonable period of time. Thus, in substances which do not possess 

 any active escharotic action, no possible damage can be done to the 

 walls of the stomach by this method of administration. The objec- 

 tions which have been made to this form of administration are un- 

 doubtedly of a merely captious character, for the purpose, if pos- 

 sible, of prejudicing the public against the conclusions reached. 

 Inasmuch as the capsule is a common method of administering solid 

 remedies at the present time the practice of the medical profession 

 approves unanimously this method of exhibition. 



SUMMARY OF RESULTS. 

 MEDICAL AND CLINICAL DATA. 



These data clearly show that the administration of sulphites and of 

 sulphurous acid in a free state in the quantities employed produces 

 harmful effects. A tendency is manifested in practically every case 

 to produce headache and digestive disturbances. In some cases these 

 symptoms are not clearly marked, while in others they are extremely 

 well denned. In many cases uneasy sensations and even pain were 

 developed in the stomach and intestines, and there were complaints 

 of " heartburn." The occurrence of this class of symptoms during 

 the administration of the preservative and their gradual disappear- 

 ance during the after period seem to be conclusive evidence that they 

 could have been due only to the effect of the preservative itself. There 

 were also in some cases attacks of dizziness and palpitation of the 

 heart. In a few cases nausea was developed to the extent of vomiting. 



It was recognized, as in previous experiments, that the mental 

 attitude of the subject might play some part in producing these 

 symptoms, or at least might affect the description of them by the man 

 himself. That this, however, does not exercise a dominant influence 

 was more than established by the remarkable effects of the administra- 

 tion of salicylic acid, where, with the same opportunities for mental 

 effects of a depressing character, there was manifested, on the con- 

 trary, a persistent demand for more food, the salicylic acid apparently 

 16108 No. 3707 2 



