72 Botanic Drugs 



malic fever, where it is nearly specific. With this 

 fact in view, it is hard to confidently assert that 

 the synthetic salt is as efficacious and safe in the 

 treatment of rheumatism as is the natural acid 

 except purely upon a basis of clinical experience. 



The controversy for and against the claims made 

 for the natural acid has waxed hot; but in view of 

 what has been stated, how are we to determine the 

 matter except by clinical experience? In this 

 gentlemen will differ, and differ honestly. 



This author has used both the natural and the 

 synthetic products in the treatment of a great many 

 cases of rheumatism; and there has never been 

 trouble under the administration of the natural acid, 

 whereas sometimes there has been with the syn- 

 thetic acid. One can't determine this matter on the 

 basis of a few cases. Case after case will do well 

 on the synthetic acid, and then one goes wrong, 

 perhaps because the product was impure. One 

 does not have to look out for these impurities when em- 

 ploying the natural acid. 



But I have had trouble with the synthetic acid 

 in cases where the product employed was of the 

 highest grade obtainable and taken direct from 

 original packages. The cases where the synthetic 

 acid produced irritation and other unpleasant 

 effects were those wherein the temperature was 

 high. 



So I am using the natural acid, not from any 

 prejudice in the matter, but because it has worked 

 out better in practice and relieves me of worries 

 when full doses in hyperpyrexia are necessary. 

 Many clinicians feel as I do in the matter, and 

 others do not; but I feel that my attitude is the 



