666 
J. F. WINCHESTER. 
virtue of their diffusive, solvent, stimulant and antiseptic ac¬ 
tions, are valuable both for external and internal use, the petro¬ 
leum benzin or petroleum spirit, being used for many of the 
purposes of oil of* turpentine. 
Dr. M. M. Griffith asserts that the crude semi-solid petro¬ 
leum, as it accumulates on the casings about oil wells, is an 
invaluable remedy in chronic bronchitis and incipient phthisis. 
Huile de Gabian is a similar product which has long been 
famous in France as a remedy in lung diseases. Liquid petro¬ 
leum is much used as a soothing local application in inflamma¬ 
tion of the mucous membrane of the nose, throat, larynx, and 
even bronchial tubes. Iodine is an active antiseptic whether 
used in the gaseous, liquid or solid state. One part in 4125 
parts of water arrests the action of diastase and ptyalin ; one 
part in 7817 arrests the action of pepsin ; one part in 7000 de¬ 
stroys both bacilli and their spores (Wernitz and Koch). Struc¬ 
tures, whether natural or morbid, may be gradually liquefied 
and absorbed by its use. Medicinal doses are absorbed; they 
also stimulate glandular activity and promote metabolism. In 
the tissues iodine may again be set free and combine with 
serum albumen, but iodine albuminates are unstable and hence 
readilv removed. 
mf 
This appears to explain the action of iodine and its com¬ 
pounds in the liquefaction and absorption of pathological pro¬ 
ducts. It is excreted by the mucous surfaces and glands, being 
found notably in the saliva, perspiration and urine. 
Dr. H. L. Jenckes, in his notes on the “ Therapeutics of 
Croupus Pneumonia,” refers to a remedy which has been advo¬ 
cated as having a destructive, or at least an inhibitory action 
on the pneumococcus. This is ethyliodid. He quotes Professor 
Bortliolow, who says : “ The influence exerted by it on the cough, 
the labored breathing and the general malaise is a remarkable 
fact. It has the single advantage that no apparatus is re¬ 
quired ; it vaporizes at ordinary temperatures ; it causes 110 irri¬ 
tation of the mucous membrane, and it does not act as an anaes¬ 
thetic. The cases in which it was used were all apparently 
