REVIEW— IODINE AND ITS COMPOUNDS. 
221 
seems to have been associated with bronchocele, just as unerringly 
aswve connect bark with intermittent fever at the present day. 
There are two doctrines regarding the manner in which the 
■ agency of iodine on the living body is affected by chemical union, 
which seem to divide the medical world at present. Some are 
of opinion that iodine and its compounds all follow essentially the 
same line of action, — that is to say, that, when iodine is indicated, 
it is a matter of indifference which of these drugs is exhibited ; 
while others — among whom is Dr. Thomson — maintain that the 
compounds combine the properties of the substance united to the 
iodiae with those of this substance, and operate accordingly. 
As these theories cannot both be true together, Mr. Cogswell 
imagined that the path for him to pursue was that of making 
original investigations, with a view of determining whether either, 
or which of them, had its foundation in nature. Unfortunately, 
however, Mr. Cogswell considers that his results do not distinctly 
warrant him in adopting the conclusion of either party. 
Such is a brief outline or rather some culled extracts from the 
Introduction of the work before us. There is sufficient in 
our quotations to shew that Mr. Cogswell has taken up a subject 
of the first importance to medical men, be they human or veteri- 
nary ; at the same time, we may add, Mr. C. has given his reader 
every earnest to expect a thorough practical investigation. How 
he has fulfilled such expectation we will now — to the extent 
that our limits will permit — proceed by further extracts to de- 
monstrate. Passing over its chemical properties — which are now 
well known and determined — we come to the 
Physiological Action of Iodine. 
Potent as iodine manifests itself to be externally , yet, when given 
internally, there appears, both in the human subject and in ani- 
mals, as regards manifest or tangible effects, a sort of insensibi- 
lity to its action. Dr. Kennedy, of Glasgow, exhibited within 
eighty days 953 grains of iodine, in the form of tincture, to a 
girl, whose health did not seem to be anywise affected. Mr. 
Dillisser alleges that he gave within the space of two months 1019 
grains of iodine to a female labouring under cancer. In this case 
the consequences were anorexia, quick pulse, ulceration of the 
mouth, and fcetor of the breath, of a different kind, however, 
from that which arises from mercury ; but ptyalism is not men- 
tioned. 
Mr. Dick, veterinary professor, administered iodine to a horse, 
for three weeks, in very large doses, without producing any symp- 
tom which could be referred to its influence, except an unusual 
disregard for water. The average daily allowance was two drachms, 
vol. xv. g g 
