DIARRHOEAS OR “ SCOURS ” OF NURSLINGS. 373 
Further, a fact not generally known is, that both these fer¬ 
ments are much more definite and certain in their effects in 
the primes vice of nurslings of all forms and classes, than in 
corresponding adults, and for the reason that greater demands 
are made upon both, and the natural supply of ferments de¬ 
pend upon the exact character and quality of the food sup¬ 
plied. 
Pepsin, as a therapeutic agent, has never been obtained as 
a distinct principle in a complete state of purity, but is con¬ 
taminated in greater or less degree with substances which 
are themselves inert, but present insurmountable difficulties 
in separation. Acting in an acid medium, it exercises its di¬ 
gestive function upon albuminoids solely ; for this reason its 
popular administration in connection with an alkali, such as 
soda bicarbonate, is a source of grievous error. Its employ¬ 
ment must be decided upon from a strictly chemico-physio- 
logical standpoint, and the above facts borne in mind, for it 
is very far from being, as is generally and popularly assumed, 
an universal digestant. 
The action of pepsin, too, is in a sense catalytic ; and, theo¬ 
retically, a small quantity should digest an unlimited quantity 
of albumen. The conditions for such action, however, do not 
exist within the animal economy, especially in the class of 
diseases to which the remedy is applicable. We cannot 
rationally expect a minute quantity of the remedy to digest 
food unreasonable both as to quantity and quality-. The gen¬ 
eral failure of pepsin in theoretical and therapeutical appli¬ 
cations, aside from the causes already noted, are from the ex¬ 
hibition of small and inefficient doses, or from employing an 
inferior and perhaps insoluble article. A large proportion of 
the pepsins in the market are known to be insoluble and inert. 
All vary in quality, and may, moreover, contain elements that 
are themselves pernicious, and of the very class and charac¬ 
ter it is desired to get rid of that are concomitants of pto¬ 
maines. Prof. Victor C. Vaughn asserts this as a fact of most, 
if not all, low grade pepsins, and when we consider the mode 
of manufacture and production, we can readily understand 
why this is so. For these reasons I deem it fit to present the 
