^Qg * GIZZARD OF FOWLS. 



tSc&u The efficacy of this remedy as a diuretic and aperient, was 



fo much relied on, that the afflided even omilted the infufion 

 and took it in pure water with a little fugar. 

 Arguments in The long experience which has been had of the falutary 

 its favour. effeds of gizzard as a febrifuge, diuretic, aperient, &c. 

 and the publicity which the government, doubtlefs not upon 

 light grounds, has given to this remedy, are authorities in its 

 favour; and it mufl therefore be an acceptable labour to 

 the phyfician, to furnifli him with new lights upon an 

 obje6t fo efientially interefting to humanity. This is the 

 motive by which I have b;en induced to fubmit the following 

 experiments to the fociety of medicine. 

 Inqu'iriei as to As gizzard has a great analogy to gelatine, I endeavoured 

 IndT^'*'"" *^ difcover their fimilitude. If gelatine be really a febrifuge, 

 gizzard fliould be fo likewife, particularly as it contains, 

 when frefti, a large portion of that fubftance ; but whence 

 does it derive its power as a diuretic, aperient, &c.? does it 

 poflefs it in common with gelatine? I cannot tell. Or, have 

 the faline parts of its compofition this double property ? of 

 this alfo I am ignorant ; for practice has not yet afcertained 

 whether the anti-febrile quality fhould be afcribed to the 

 acidulous falts rather than to the fubfiances with which they 

 are combined. 

 Ixperimcnts on A frelh gizzard prefented the following phenomena, 

 recent guMrd. ^ 'pj^g water wherein this fubftance had been boiled ac- 

 quired a yellow ith white colour, and flakes were depofiled in 

 cooling ; it had a tafte rather infipid than fweet. 

 It reddened the tinfture of turnfol. 



B. Lime water, and water of barytes produced in this 

 liquor an abundant precipitate, partially foluble by nitric and 

 muriatic acids. 



C. Ammonia caufed a lefs degree of precipitation. 



D. Oxigenated muriatic acid fepar.iled with flakes from the 

 liquor. 



E. Cauftic potadi, either folid or liquid, acted upon gizzard 

 in the fame manner as upon mufcular flefh. 



When ground together, ammonia was difengaged from 

 (he gizzard ; it became foft, of a reddilh colour, and foluble 

 in water. If this liquor be evaporated, it will depofit fibres. 

 in cooling. Alcohol, by deflroying the potafb, feparaled a 

 flaky fubftance, lolubie in water. 



This 



