PITCH AND TAR. 265 



both externally and internally. Professor Polli has 

 performed a vast number of experiments, and he is 

 quite satisfied of the efficacy of this class of salts. 

 Many other Italian Physicians have also borne tes- 

 timony to the value of the sulphites. 



An aqueous solution of sulphurous acid is now 

 included in the British Pharmacopoeia. It may be 

 given internally in doses of half a fluid drachm 

 further diluted with water, or may be used as an 

 application to various surfaces. Sulphite and hypo- 

 sulphite of soda have both been recommended for 

 the purpose of destroying the lower vegetable organ- 

 isms, and appear to have been efficacious in some 

 cases of sarcina. The dose of each salt is from 10 to 

 60 grains dissolved in water. I have myself employed 

 these remedies in severe cases of sarcina ventriculi, 

 but have been disappointed in the result in several 

 instances. Probably the great number of the vegetable 

 fungi present, and the circumstance of their being em- 

 bedded in viscid mucus, rendered their destruction by 

 such means impossible. The viscid mucus in which 

 they are embedded, and in which they grow and 

 multiply, securely protects them from the action of 

 the remedy, and prevents the latter from coming into 

 contact with them. 



Other disinfecting Volatile Vapours Pitch and Tar. 

 There are certain vapours obtained in the destruc- 

 tive distillation of wood and coal, which, there is 

 good reason to believe, are really efficient in destroy- 



