330 INFECTIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT 



intestinal antiseptics. A considerable literature exists 

 in regard to them. Opinion as to their efficacy is di- 

 vergent. I shall not undertake to discuss here the 

 literature bearing on the subject, for probably all of the 

 experiments that have been conducted with a view to 

 determining the value of intestinal antiseptics have 

 left out of account a quantitative study of the putre- 

 factive anaerobes of the f seces a study which obviously 

 is beset with great difficulties, and could only be under- 

 taken under especially advantageous conditions for 

 work. 1 In some of the experiments upon this subject 

 observations have been made on the excretion of the 

 ethereal sulphates, the indican, and the phenolic bodies 

 of the urine. These unquestionably possess a certain 

 value, and if the observations be sufficiently long con- 

 tinued and properly controlled, may be regarded as 

 conclusive indications as to the intensity of putrefaction. 

 One difficulty in measuring the action of many of the 

 antiseptic substances which have been used depends 

 on the fact that they either decompose with the libera- 

 tion of aromatic substances capable of pairing with 

 sulphuric acid and forming ethereal sulphates, or they 

 themselves are aromatic bodies capable of pairing in this 

 manner. A study of the indican is not open to this 

 objection, but as already pointed out there are cases of 

 intestinal decomposition in which the ethereal sulphates 

 may be considerably above the normal, although little 

 or no indican is excreted. Again, in such observations 



1 Much of the modern literature relative to this subject is given 

 by von Tabora, loc. cit. 



