646 
EXCREMENTS OF MAN AND AN IMA Lb. 
until the general had obtained a supply. Caesar was also 
reported to mention in his Commentaries the supply of vinegar 
to the troops ; and Mr. Tucker remarked that the drink of the 
Romans in all their campaigns was vinegar and water, and, 
sustained by that beverage, they conquered the world. Modern 
authors, (Sir John Pringle, Sir Gilbert Blane, and others) 
were also quoted in proof of the antiseptic and medicinal 
qualities of vinegar. The author then proceeded to show that 
acid drinks were not only preventive, but remedial in epidemic 
disorders of the bowels. Cases were related, in which not 
only persons were exempt from attacks of cholera raging 
around them, who drank large draughts of cider, but a case 
of severe cholera was also related, which yielded to the diluted 
juice of sour apples. The efficacy of the Mineral Acids , espe- 
cially the sulphuric, in diarrhoea, and especially in choleraic 
diarrhoea, was also advocated by reference to numerous facts 
and authorities. He also referred to some established facts 
connected with the spread of epidemic dysentery in the army, 
showing the efficacy of vegetable acids in that disease. 
In conclusion, Mr. Tucker suggested a necessary caution 
relative to the use of the wretched and unwholesome sub- 
stitute for vinegar commonly sold in the London shops. 
The discussion which followed the reading of the paper, 
elicited many facts in confirmation of the author’s views ; and, 
as to the efficacy of sulphuric acid largely diluted with water, 
in choleraic diarrhoea, there was not a dissentient voice. — 
From the Lancet . 
ON THE IMMEDIATE PRINCIPLES OP THE EXCREMENTS 
OE MAN AND ANIMALS IN THE HEALTHY CONDITION. 
From the i Medical Times and Gazette* Sept . 30. 
The following is an abstract of a most interesting paper, 
by Dr. Marcet, which has been read before the Royal 
Society : 
“The author describes a new method of extracting the im- 
mediate chemical constituents of the excrements of man and 
animals, and gives an account of the substances obtained by 
its employment. Healthy human faeces are boiled to ex- 
haustion in alcohol. The residue is insoluble in ether, and 
yields to boiling water nothing but ammoniaco-magnesian 
phosphate. The strained alcoholic solution deposits, on 
standing, a sediment, from which it is decanted, and then 
