107 
papain should be tested under the same conditions that hold good : dd 
sin. Dr. Rideal noticed that papain differs from pepsin in so far 
the former acts fairl well in an alkaline solution, while the latter dies 
not, and more debe, Monto that the proportion of fluid to albumen must 
be "ipe. Js the case of papain than is required with pepsin. Mr, 
D. B. Dott, F.I.C., in the more recent article (Pharm. Journ., Marc 
1896) records some experiments from which he adduced the following 
conclusions : 
1. That dried papain juice, and the papain prepared from it by purifica- 
tion and precipitation have bs little solvent action on albumen, either 
in alkaline or acid solution 
2. That commercia papain has not nearly the solvent action on am 
men which is possessed by pepsin, «i TAN t has a disintegrating an 
special action of its own on animal ti 
During the course of Mr. Dott’s WM the prenens of pepsin 
was zagpecied à in one of the samples of commercial papai 
next question that seems desirable to settle is tha preparation of 
ciiin rciai papain. If, as it has been suggested, the papain is liable to 
sophistication with pespin or other subtances, it is impossible to arrive 
at any satisfactory results with regard to its digestive action. Then, 
again, the preparation in this country of the juice for the market has not 
perhaps received a sufficient amount of attention. It should be known 
that the juice in every case must be collected from wnripe fruits, As 
prolonged moisture is deleterious to the ferment, the juice should be 
s soon as possible, and, as heat will destroy its activity, it should 
en 
filter off the insoluble matter, and dry it at the ordinary temperature of 
the atmosphere. After being bw dóred it should be kept in well- 
stoppered bottles ready for use 
he following notes on the collection va specimens of papain in 
India by the Reporter on Economic Products and the results of their 
examination in London wiil be read with Hitebest They show what 
varied activity the samples may possess if not Sicil collected and 
o 
carefully the precautions just enumerat On account of caste diffi- 
culties, it would be impossible to introduce pepsin very largely into use 
in this country, but where a vegetable substance is available every ah 
should be made to increase our knowledge of it and to understand i 
action and pecie of manufacture and administration. 
In May 1894, Mr. M. J. Bharwada, Agricultural Assistant, Gondal, 
Kathiawar, serit to the reporter on economic produets three 
samples of PON obtained from the juice of the fruit of the Papaw 
tree. These were (1) the precipitate from the milk juice made by 
Mo S sjh alcohol ; (2) the p occa from the same juice by addition 
tied spirit ; and (3 )t ied and powdered juice. The speci- 
mens were forwarded to Mr. E. M. pie Vire) of Museum of the 
Pharmaceutical Society, who was asked t e them tested and re- 
ported upon with reference to their enim ‘vale as Bee for 
pepsine. Mr. Ernest J. Easters, F.L.C., was kind enough to examine 
them, but he stated that they &nivéd in such a bad condition that not 
one of the samples was found to have any disturbing action on milk; 
the er of milk is a very characteristic property of the ferment of 
papaya juie i i i 
