COD LIVER OIL 627 



the fact that it reduces and therefore changes the color of 

 potassium permanganate solutions more quickly than other 

 oils ; 3, cod liver oil increases the number of red blood 

 corpuscles in anaemia ; this has been demonstrated by blood- 

 counts, but not by comparison with the effect of other oils. 

 The ease of absorption is thought by some to be due to 

 biliary principles which aid the diffusion of substances 

 through a mucous membrane (osmosis) when the latter is 

 moistened by bile ; by others it is attributed to the presence 

 of free acids in the oil which would tend to saponify and 

 emulsify the drug. The medicinal superiority of cod liver 

 oil has led many writers to classify it as an alterative, and 

 special properties have been referred to the minute traces of 

 iodine, phosphorus, and bromine in the oil. These agents 

 exist in too infinitesimal an amount to exert much therapeu- 

 tic action. 



It is probable that no one constituent, or group of con- 

 stituents, yet separated from the oil truly represent its 

 medicinal effect. Cod liver oil is inferior to other oils in one 

 respect, however, and this consists in its liability to cause 

 nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea and vomiting, in large doses 

 and in some patients. 



Administration. — Cod liver oil may be given pure, or if 

 this does not agree, it may be exhibited in various ways : 1, 

 with an equal quantity of lime water and a little syrup ; 2, 

 with ether (ITtx.), small animals ; 3 i- to large animals ; or 

 with whiskey ; 3, shaken with white of an egg, or mucilage 

 of tragacanth, and a few drops of oil of peppermint ; 4, to 

 dogs, in one of the proprietary emulsions, or with malt 

 extract. The oil should be given after feeding and adminis- 

 tration begun with the smaller doses as recommended above. 



Uses. — Cod liver oil is indicated generally in conditions 

 of malnutrition occurring primarily; in the course of chronic 

 diseases ; or following acute diseases. It is especially indi- 

 cated in diseases of the respiratory tract, when it improves 

 the nutrition of the mucous membranes, as well as the 

 general nutrition. Thus cod liver oil is one of the best 



