50 
COD-LIVER OIL AS A CURATIVE AGENT 
and in their evidence on chemical subjects they would be 
much more likely to arrive at that which is the legitimate 
and proper object of such evidence, namely, chemical truth. — 
Pharmaceutical Journal , October , 1 853. 
ON THE ACTION OE COD-LIVER OIL AS A CURATIVE AGENT 
IN THE TREATMENT OE DISEASE. 
Dr. Glover has communicated a paper on this subject, 
from which we take the following quotations : — 
“ My objection to the theory, that the fact of oil placed in 
contact with albumen under the microscope forms a globule 
with a central nucleus and outward pellicle, affords any suf- 
ficient explanation of the value of cod-liver oil in scrofula and 
phthisis, I retain as strongly as ever. Dr. Bennett, in his 
recent work, says that I object to his views because, ‘first, so 
far as his analysis goes, the fats are not deficient in blood/ 
(scrofulous;) ‘second, because tubercle itself often contains a 
considerable quantity of fat ; and third, because the theory is 
too mechanical, and vitiates itself by giving a too easy expla- 
nation of great difficulties. 5 
“Now, that this explanation is too mechanical, I submit 
for the following reasons : I ask any person if it is reasonable 
to suppose that the mechanical fact of a little albumen and 
oil forming a globule with a non-vital nucleus can explain the 
power of cod-liver oil in enriching the blood ? But other sub- 
stances mixed with albumen assume a similar appearance, 
although I admit that oil is one of the best. But I believe 
the explanation, whatever it may be, is rather a chemical than 
a mechanical one, if the following facts, which I have occasion- 
ally thought upon for years, be correct : — 
“ First, — That drunkards hardly ever die of phthisis. Even 
if the proportion of deaths form phthisis in drunkards were 
only as great as in other people of more temperate habits, the 
circumstance will still be curious, since an irregular life, 
coeteris paribus , predisposes to phthisis ; but if it be the case, 
as I have stated, that drunkards rarely die of phthisis, the 
circumstance is still more remarkable. Drunkards, of course, 
die of numerous diseases, but I believe rarely of phthisis. 
Second, — Oils of all kinds and fatty substances are beneficial 
in phthisis. Third, — Pitmen, according to my observation 
and inquiries, very rarely die of phthisis. 
“ If the first and last kinds of alleged facts are incorrect, I 
