340 
PEPSINE. 
were carefully cleaned and washed as long as any acid 
reaction was manifested to litmus paper ; the cells were then 
bruised, and treated with cold distilled water; and in this 
way a perfectly neutral fluid was obtained. This fluid did 
not possess the power of digesting fibrine at the temperature 
of the body, but on the addition of a little lactic acid a 
complete digestion was obtained. 
Now it is well known that pepsine has the property of 
converting glucose or grape sugar into lactic acid, and when 
we consider that the saliva can by its action convert amy- 
laceous substances into glucose, and that pepsine determines 
the conversion of glucose into lactic acid, we have a very fair 
explanation of the acidity of the fluid found in the stomach. 
Boudault found that a mixture of glucose, neutral pepsine, 
and fibrine, yielded complete digestion after twelve hours. 
The process of digestion did not, however, commence until 
the liquid had assumed a strongly acid reaction. I will 
not, however, say that lactic acid is the only acid which is 
capable of playing this part, on the contrary, hydrochloric 
and acetic acids yield perfect digestions, but not with the 
same rapidity as lactic acid. 
From a number of digestive experiments carefully per- 
formed, Boudault found that the pepsine obtained from 
herbivorous animals is identical in its properties with that 
obtained from the carnivora, and may be substituted for it, 
so far at least as the digestive functions are concerned. 
The employment of an artificial digestive agent is not new 
in medicine. The liquid obtained by treating rennet with 
water, acidified with some acid, has been given with success, 
but it has never been much used — probably in consequence 
of the disagreeable nature of the dose ; but now that we have 
the means placed before us in an elegant form, it is no longer 
a matter of difficulty. The details and the cases where it 
may be employed will suggest themselves to every medical 
man. There are at present four preparations of pepsine 
in use — namely. No. 1, acidified with lactic acid; No. 2, 
which contains in addition 1 per cent, hydrochlorate of 
morphia; No. 3, containing J per cent, strychnia; and 
No. 4, which contains no lactic acid, and is useful where 
there is an excess of acidity. 
Other medicines, however, may be given in conjunction 
with pepsine, without in any way impairing its action ; 
among these are subnitrate of bismuth, lactate of iron, 
carbonate of iron, iodide of iron, and reduced iron. 
Attempts have likewise been made to form a syrup of 
pepsine, as a more agreeable way of exhibiting this medicine j 
