THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
37 
LIEBIG’S EXTRACT OF MEAT. 
The value of this world-renowned preparation has so frequently been either 
overrated or again questioned altogether, that the remarks of R. B. Lehmann on 
this subject appearing in the Archil j fur Hygiene , 1885, 249-290, will be read 
with interest. The following represent their summary : — Some time ago 
Remmerich created a widespread surprise by announcing that Liebig’s extract 
•of meat partook of a poisonous nature. The latter he referred to the presence 
of potassium salts in the extract, and demonstrated the identity of the 
potassium intoxication in general, and the symptoms produced by Liebig’s 
extract. Experiments with the extract instituted on various animals, and 
especially on rabbits, showed that comparatively minute quantities of the extract 
(two teaspoonfuls of a concentrated solution) sufficed to kill the latter by 
cardiac paralysis. Carnivorous animals being likewise subject to the toxic 
action of the extract, Remmerich concluded that in man a cardiac paralysis 
may likewise ensue, and that, of course, such an issue would be all the more 
possible in ailing, debilitated, or juvenile individuals. Although these seemingly 
improbable objections to Liebig’s extract were almost wholly removed by the 
researches of Bunge, the French scientist persisted in disparaging this famous 
German article. And to refute all opposition on a scientific ground, Lehmann 
instituted exhaustive investigations, and concluded: 
1. That neither extract of meat ( i.e ., meat-broth) nor the salts of potassium 
ingested once by a healthy person, even in a larger dose, exerted any specific 
influence on the frequency, magnitude, or regularity of the pulse. 
2. That the increase of cardiac pressure noted by Remmerich as following 
upon the ingestion of the broth and extract referred probably to a reflex 
augmentation of the pulse, originating from the digestive track, and proven 
respecting all salts, and not to any specific potassium action. 
3. That in rats and cats even excessive quantities of the extract (one per 
-cent, of the body-weight) did not produce any deleterious effects, no matter 
whether the animals were kept hungry, poorly or well nourished. 
4. In two infants, greatly reduced by malnutrition and confinement, the 
same negative results were obtained. 
5. That Liebig’s extract of meat possessed no especial value as an article 
of nutrition, though, like all beef-teas, it acts as a digestive stimulant. 
COCAINE IN THE MORPHINE HABIT. 
Smidt and Rank, physicians of a prominent German morphine institute, confirm 
the value of cocaine in the cure of the morphine habit (Berl. Klin . Woch., 
14th September, 188o). Their testimony and conclusions are formulated as 
follow : 
1. Cocaine is a highly useful and almost indispensable factor in the cure 
of the morphine habit. It facilitates and shortens the latter materially, without 
exerting any untoward secondary influence upon the patient. 
2. The principle of the cure consists in exhibiting morphine in decreasing 
and cocaine in increasing doses. 
3. Cocaine acts best when exhibited sub-cutaneously in a five per cent, 
watery solution. 
4. The ordinary dose is Jgr., and may be increased to lfgr., though 3o- rs 
ought not to be exceeded. ° 
5. A cocaine habit has never been noted to occur. 
