GADUS MORRHUA. 



CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES. 



OLEUM MORRHUA. Cod-liver oil has been long popularly 

 employed in rheumatic and strumous diseases in the northern 

 parts of Europe. It was brought to the notice of the profes- 

 sion generally by German practitioners, and had acquired 

 great reputation on the Continent before it was used to any 

 extent in Great Britain. The treatise of Professor Bennett of 

 Edinburgh, in 1841, greatly contributed to its reputation, and 

 since the publications of Dr. Williams it has obtained very 

 general notice both in England and the United States. It has 

 now, however, become one of the most esteemed remedies in 

 the whole catalogue of the Materia Medica. The diseases in 

 which it has proved most efficient are chronic rheumatism and 

 gout, and the various morbid affections connected with a scrof- 

 ulous diathesis, such as external glandular scrofula, diseases 

 of the joints and spine, carious ulcers, tabes mesenteria, rick- 

 ets, and phthisis. Many respectable physicians and practi- 

 tioners are now prepared to acknowledge that in phthisis this 

 medicine has far exceeded in efficacy any other remedy or 

 combination of remedies hitherto employed. It is necessary, 

 however, to persevere for four or six weeks before looking for 

 any decidedly favorable result, though the change does often 

 begin earlier. In most cases, remarkable temporary relief is 

 afforded ; in very many, the disease is favorably modified and 

 its fatal termination postponed ; and in some, cures appear to 

 have been effected. Time and more experience, however, are 

 yet required fully to determine its merits. 



The dose is a table-spoonful three or four times a day for 

 adults, a teaspoonful repeated as frequently for children, which 

 may be gradually increased as the stomach will permit, and 

 continued for a long time. It may be taken alone, or mixed 

 with some vehicle calculated to conceal its taste and obviate 

 nauseating effects. For this purpose recourse may be had to 

 any of the aromatic waters, or the aromatic tinctures, as the 

 tincture of orange-peel, diluted with water. Perhaps the best 

 vehicle, when it is not contraindicated, is the froth of porter. 

 Let a table-spoonful of porter be put into the bottom of a 

 glass, upon the surface of this the oil, and over all some of the 

 froth of the porter. It is recommended to chew a small piece 

 of orange-peel before and after taking the medicine. The oil 

 is sometimes applied externally by friction, and in cases of 



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