380 VALUE OF PEPSIN. 



paration of pepsin of the pig was found out, and it 

 had to be prepared in increasing quantities. I should 

 be afraid to say how many pigs' stomachs have been 

 used of late years during the winter season. 



In 1857, Dr. Pavy carefully examined the pepsin 

 prepared and sold by many different firms, and found 

 that this dried mucus of the pig's stomach was the 

 most active of them all (Medical Times and Gazette, 

 1857, vol. i., p. 336). In 1863, Professor Tuson insti- 

 tuted a still more careful comparative examination, 

 and with a similar result (Lancet, August 13, 1870) ; 

 for he found that this preparation was twenty-five 

 times stronger than some others that he obtained for 

 examination. 



I have purposely abstained from writing about the 

 value of this preparation since the note I first pub- 

 lished concerning it in The Archives of Medicine in 

 1856. It has, however, been used largely by many 

 practitioners ever since, who are thoroughly convinced 

 of its usefulness. I have often given it to patients, 



pepsin, with ten drops dilute hydrochloric acid and an ounce of distilled 

 water, dissolve 100 grains of hard-boiled white of egg in from twelve to 

 twenty-four hours. In the body probably twice this quantity of white of 

 egg or even more would be dissolved in a comparatively short space of 

 time. The digestive powder prepared from the pig's stomach retains its 

 activity for any length of time if kept dry. I had some which had been 

 kept in a bottle for upwards of five years, and still retained its active 

 power unimpaired. The solution made with this pepsin and hydro- 

 chloric acid was nearly tasteless and inodorous. One pig's stomach, 

 which costs 6d. , will yield about forty-five grains of the powder prepared 

 as above described. 



