ON medicinal pepsin. 
693 
the contractions of the uterus by injections of cold water, and 
even mineral astringents, as solutions of chloride of zinc, 
alum, perchloride of iron, or vegetable astringents, as tinc- 
tures of catechu, kino, galls, &c. &c. Exhibit draughts con- 
taining such remedies as mineral acids, tannic acid, powdered 
galls, perchloride of iron, &c. Promote the external surface 
heat by clothing and friction. Stimulants must be withheld 
until the haemorrhage has subsided, and even then they must 
be given only with caution when the depression is great. 
“ In vaginal haemorrhage the use of cold ablutions and 
astringent lotions is usually sufficient. If it arise from the 
cord it seldom needs interference. The hand, however, may 
be passed up, and the cord drawn into a knot, or the placenta 
may be removed. See Abortion.” 
In many like cases of sudden doubt and difficulty the 
junior practitioner will find the ‘Remembrancer* a very 
valuable pocket companion. 
Extracts from British and Foreign Journals. 
ON MEDICINAL PEPSIN. 
By Richard Y. Tuson, E.C.S., Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Veteri- 
nary College, formerly Lecturer on Chemistry at the Charing Cross 
Hospital. 
Since the introduction of Corvisart and Boudault's 
“poudre nutrimentive ” into medicine in the year 1854, 
pepsine obtained from the stomach of the pig,* calf, or sheep, 
in a state of greater or less impurity, has been extensively 
prescribed in dyspepsia and certain other affections. Ac- 
cording to the testimony of some authorities of high stand- 
ing, long experience in the use of this agent fully justifies 
Corvisart’s predictions relative to its therapeutic value, which 
were originally based upon physiological reasoning. There 
are other authorities, however, equally eminent, who either 
express doubts as to the efficacy of pepsine, or positively 
state that it is totally devoid of medicinal power. This 
difference of opinion, in all probability, mainly arises from 
the circumstance that pharmaceutists supply medical men 
with various preparations, all bearing the same specific name 
# Eirst brought into notice by Dr. Beale. 
XLIII. 
46 
