446 
Translations and Reviews of Continental 
Veterinary Journals, 
By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London. 
Annales Veterinaire, Bruxelles, December, 1862. 
DISEASES ARISING FROM A MORBID FERMENT, AND OF 
THE USE OF SULPHATES IN MEDICINE. 
By Dr. Govanni Pallt, of Milan, and Dr. Janssens, of Brussels Presse 
Med.-Beige. 
This long and interesting memoir is summed up in tlie 
following conclusions by M. Janssens : — 1st. A great many 
maladies have for their cause a fermentation of the principles 
of the blood, determined sometimes by puti escent matter in 
the blond, at others by ferments from without; or by sponta¬ 
neous alteration of the elements of the blood itself through 
some peculiar influences to which the system has been sub¬ 
jected. 2nd. The means to prevent these organic fermenta¬ 
tions, or neutralize their effects, have not been successfully 
applied in therapeutics, because, to be effectual, they ought 
to modify the morbid state of the blood to the extent that life 
must necessarily be preserved. 3rd. Sulphureous acid has the 
property of preventing or arresting the fermentation in animal 
and vegetable matter; even in those instances where arsenious 
and hydrocyanic acids have had no effect in arresting it; as, 
for example, the synaptasic and the saligenic fermentation. 
Besides lids great activity, its effects are neither decomposing 
nor toxic. 4th. The antifermentative qualities are well pre¬ 
served in the alkaline and earthy sulphites, the same as its 
decolorating properties on organic matter. They prevent 
fermentation without destroying the ferment, in the same 
manner as they alter the colours without destroying them. 
5th. The sulphites are perfectly tolerated in the system, not 
only by animals, but also by man, and that in considerably 
large doses—eight to ten grammes per diem, and even more, 
and might be given and continued for a long time; that is to 
say, in sufficient quantity to prevent or arrest morbid fer¬ 
mentation without poisoning the animal economy. They are 
endowed with an antifermentative power more energetic, or at 
least more extensive, than the antiseptic poisons, without 
being toxic like the latter. 6th. In those animals to whom 
a certain quantity of the sulphites has been administered, and 
which are afterwards sacrificed, it is found that the urine, the 
