658 AGENTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN 



emulsify tlie drug. The medicinal superiority of cod liver 

 oil has led many writers to classify it as an alterative, and 

 special properties have been referred to the minute traces of 

 iodine, phosphorus, and bromine in the oil. These agents 

 exist in too infinitesimal an amount to exert much therapeu- 

 tic action. 



It is probable that no one constituent, or group of con- 

 stituents, yet separated from the oil truly represent its 

 medicinal effect. Cod liver oil is inferior to other oils in one 

 respect, however, and this consists in its liability to cause 

 nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea and vomiting, in large doses 

 and in some patients. 



Administration. — Cod liver oil may be given pure, or if 

 this does not agree, it may be exhibited in various ways : 1, 

 with an equal quantity of lime water and a little syrup ; 2, 

 with ether (TTLx.), small animals ; 3 i. to large animals ; or 

 with whiskey ; 3, shaken with white of an egg, or mucilage 

 of tragacanth, and a few drops of oil of peppermint ; 4, to 

 dogs, in one of the proprietary emulsions, or with malt 

 extract. The oil should be given after feeding and adminis- 

 tration begun with the smaller doses as recommended above. 



Uses. — Cod liver oil is indicated generally in conditions 

 of ipalnutrition occurring primarily; in the course of chronic 

 diseases ; or following acute diseases. It is especially indi- 

 cated in diseases of the respiratory tract, when it improves 

 the nutrition of the mucous membranes, as well as the 

 general nutrition. Thus cod liver oil is one of the best 

 remedies in tardy convalescence from canine asthma and 

 distemper ; from influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia and 

 strangles in horses ; also in " heaves," emphysema, or broken 

 wind in horses. Carron oil is cheaper and very efficient in 

 the latter disorder, given on the food. 



Cod liver oil is valuable in the treatment of chronic bron- 

 chitis, chronic eczema, and chorea of dogs ; and in rickets, 

 anaemia, weakness, and emaciation in all young animals. It 

 often proves curative in various forms of muscular and 

 chronic articular rheumatism, and facilitates the absorption 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



