330 OILS AND FATS, ETC. 



Fish, oils have been largely supplanted the last few years by mineral 

 oils for burning. 



East India Fish Oil. — Among the various Indian fishes from which 

 oil is obtained are the following, but being only known by the native 

 names, it is impossible to specifically describe them : — Karahmanoo, 

 Chadoo pareeger, Cooawanoo, Goodee, Valager, Moosoo, Bochee, Muthi 

 Yeno, Frictzi, Karitze malu, Seri nei (shark-liver), Chellei nei. 



There is an active demand now at all the sea-ports of the western 

 coast of the Indian Peninsula for fish oil, and the product has been of 

 great importance, 721,095 gallons, valued at 20,685Z., having been ex- 

 ported from the Madras territories by sea last year. 



The oil seems to be obtained from various fishes, drawings and de- 

 tails of which would be most useful and interesting. Specimens of fine 

 quality from Mangalore, Tellicherry, Masulipatam, and Pondicherry, col- 

 lected by the Madras committee, were sent. These fish oils appear to 

 be used in India in cases of rheumatism, atrophy, phthisis, glandular 

 swellings, and all diseases of a strumous nature. A coarse kind of fish 

 oil has been used by the natives from time immemorial in chest com- 

 plaints, and specially as a remedy for spitting of blood. The attention 

 of chemists was directed to the article in 1851, from a knowledge of this 

 fact, since which it has been brought into very general use. 



Fish liver oil is now prepared in large quantities on the Western and 

 Malabar coasts of India for exportation. That supplied to hospitals for 

 the use of troops is prepared from the liver of the skate, seer, and white 

 shark, indiscriminately. From analysis and experiments made in Eng- 

 land, it has been found to equal in its medicinal properties the best Cod- 

 liver oil ; but, from its extremely disagreeable taste and odour, it can 

 never supersede the oil of Newfoundland. A more agreeable kind of oil 

 may be prepared from the skate or seer fish ; but when the liver of the 

 shark is also used with the livers of the other fish, the oil so obtained 

 has a very offensive odour and unpleasant taste, and which cannot by 

 any mechanical or chemical process be removed, however carefully it 

 may be prepared. 



Providence provides for the relief of humanity by multifarious means. 

 The earth, the air, the waters, all supply his wants. Thus, in more ways 

 than one, his necessities are variously supplied. Cod-liver oiL is one of 

 the best medicines yet discovered for the affection of the lungs and other 

 complaints. 



Dr. W. Gray, of Madras, has prepared oil from the liver of a fish fre- 

 quenting the Indian shores, which has proved equal in every respect to 

 cod-liver oil. 



It has long been known that the oil in question is not procurable 

 from the liver of the cod alone, but is to be derived of an equally good 

 quality though not so copiously, from the ling, torsk, skate, and many 



