436 
OCCURRENCE OF CREATINE. 
almost universally condemned by even the most recent 
British writers on surgery. 
“ We have lately seen it employed in this hospital by Mr. 
Erichsen, and the effects throughout were so very good that, 
taken with the series of cases already referred to, we have no 
hesitation in recommending its employment in suitable cases* 
An advantage not to be lost sight of is, that the knee-joint 
resumes its natural condition, regains its flexibility, and 
becomes in every respect equal to its fellow. Sometimes 
inflammation is set up from the iodine, but it soon subsides, 
and no bad or serious consequences have been known to follow, 
a good cure resulting without anchylosis.” — Lancet. 
The manner in which Mr. Erichsen operates consists in 
tapping the joint by means of a valvular puncture, allowing 
the fluid to escape, and then injecting a drachm or more of 
the compound tincture of iodine into the joint, through the 
canula used in tapping. If much inflammation supervenes, 
this is to be subdued by the use of an evaporating lotion and 
rest. 
OCCURRENCE OF CREATINE, AND SIMPLE METHOD OF 
OBTAINING IT. 
Herr St\edeler recommends digesting the chopped 
flesh, mixed with coarsely-powdered glass, with about one 
and a half times its bulk of alcohol, at a gentle heat, and then 
pressing out the liquid. This liquid is then to be distilled, 
the residue treated with basic acetate of lead, the excess of 
lead separated from the filtrate by sulphuretted hydrogen, 
and the clear liquid evaporated to a syrupy consistence. 
Upon cooling, creatine crystallizes out; and after some days 
the crystalline mass is spread out on a piece of unsized 
paper, so as to absorb the mother liquor. The crystals are 
then dissolved in hot water or alcohol, and recrystallized. 
In this way Herr Stsedeler has obtained creatine from the 
muscular substance of the ox, dog, pigeon, Spinax acanthus , 
Fetromyzon Jluviatilis. In the brain of pigeons, and also in 
the brain of dogs, creatine was found ; in the latter case, 
together with urea . — Fharmaceutical Journal. 
