78 The Philippine Journal of Science 1915 
TABLE IiI].—The composition of emetine bismuthous iodide. 
ee ATOR Bt gos a a 
‘ Calculated for | TR 
Constituent. (CsoHaoN20s) |—-——~————_| Mean. 
| 
| (SHY) (Bils). | 4 2 
| 

| Per cent. | Per cent. | Per cent. | Per cent. 





Todine 22.2440 5s bee ee te sts 8) A 00T20 | beds 7 168,801) beeen 
Bismuth a0 cd node i mates cemeome 206.90 } ° 12.00 | 42.52 | 12.20] 12.36 
HS Uo ae) of) Pia eg et Rp ie i tea ie es 8 ee 5. 00 L355 40 et aie PE) eal a 0.30 | 
Mmetine t .oweete keen Oa SI 504. 56 | $29: 27 [oops [See 29.08 
| | 100.00 
em 
| 1,723.66 | 100.00 

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC ACTION OF THE MERCURY 
AND BISMUTH COMPOUNDS 
With the object of obtaining some information concerning the 
value of the mercury and bismuth compounds in the treatment 
of entameebiasis, samples of the two salts were sent to the Phil- 
ippine General Hospital some time ago. However, owing to the 
rapid change in personnel taking place in the hospital at the 
time, the salts were misplaced and, therefore, I can bring before 
you no clinical evidence with respect to their usefulness. Theo- 
retically the action, in part, should be similar to that of emetine 
hydrochloride, as emetine will undoubtedly be one of the com- 
pounds liberated in the intestines. 
Emetine mercuric iodide should be decomposed in the stomach 
to a slight extent only. Upon coming in contact with the alka- 
line secretions of the intestines, the compound will very likely 
be decomposed with the formation of emetine; finally, as the 
free base and a salt of mercury which will eventually be con- 
verted in part into the albuminate, in which condition, Cushny ** 
states, it enters the circulation. Therefore we should expect 
the combined action of both emetine and the mercury compound 
upon the entamoebe. 
Insoluble salts of bismuth are converted into bismuth sulphide 
after passing the pyloris.*® In.all probabilities the reaction is 
very slow and takes place as the compound is being spread out 
over the walls of the intestines. The value of bismuth in the 
treatment of entamcebiasis has been demonstrated by Deeks.” 
In addition, in this case, emetine will probably be liberated 
* Cushny, Pharm. and Therap. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia (1911), 
641. 
> Bastedo, Mat. Med. and Therap. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia 
(1914), 494. 
71 Journ. Am. Med. Assoc. (1918), 61, 885. 
