48 SYNOPSIS OE VETERINARY 



scales or grains free from offensive odor, having a mildly acidu- 

 lous or slightly saline taste, followed by a slight bitter taste. 



Soluble in about 100 parts water, but more soluble in water 

 acidulated with hydrochloric acid, which adds to its digestive 

 power. If heated in solution to 212 degrees F. it loses its diges- 

 tive power. 



Preparations. — There is one official preparation besides Pep- 

 sin itself. Pepsinum Saccharatum, and a number of Phermaceu- 

 tical preparations of which the following are convenient liquid 

 forms, serviceable in Canine Practice. 



Liquor Pepsini Dogs, 3 j-ij. 



Essence of Pepsin (Fairchild) >Dogs, 3 ss-ij. 



Antagonists and Incompatibles. — Alkalies and the mineral 

 salts precipitate pepsin from solution ; tannic and gallic acids, 

 creosote, etc., are incompatibles. Alcohol and all alcoholic liquors 

 destroy the activity of pepsin. 



Synergists, lactic, hydrochloric, acetic, citric and malic acids 

 promote the digestive activity of pepsin. 



Physiological Effects. — Pepsin dissolves proteids and con- 

 verts them into peptones, but does not affect fats or starch. One 

 grain of pepsin will dissolve about 2000 grains of albumen. 



Its value then is limited to young herbivorous animals while 

 living on milk, and for dogs. It should be given along with or 

 after meals. Hydrochloric acid does more good than pepsin 

 in our adult patients. 



Therapy. — For young herbivorous animals or dogs suffering 

 from indigestion in any of its forms (pot-bellied, long, shaggy 

 coat, diarrhoea, or constipation, etc.), pepsin is indicated. 



Dose. — For foals and calves, 10 grains to one dram. For 

 dogs, 1 to 10 grains of the golden scale pepsin. Liquor pepsin: 

 for dogs, 1 to 2 drachms. 



For indigestion in suckling calves or colts: 



5 Pepsini puri. 3 ss 



Acidi hydrochlorici diluti. J jss 

 Aq. qs. ad. % xij 



m. 

 Sig. — One oz. in Y 2 pint water after meals. 



ALLIED DRUGS. — Pancreatin. — From the pancreas of 



animals ; digests albuminoids, converts starch and glucose into 



sugar, hence is better for our animals; acts only in presence of 



