104 
REMARKS ON COD LIVER OIL. 
Modes of administering cod liver oil. The general disgust ex- 
cited by the taste and odor which the commercial cod-liver oil 
often presents, has arisen from the fact that the largest part of 
that now used has either been carelessly made or badly preserved, 
or because many physicians still cling to the idea that the rancid 
brown oil possesses more medical power than the light yellow or 
proper medicinal oil. Under the impression that the /amp oil odor 
is a true characteristic of all cod-liver oil, though less apparent in 
the light-colored kind, some physicians in prescribing it for child- 
ren or adults, whose fastidiousness rejects it unless disguised 
more or less effectually, have had the oil incorporated with mucil- 
age in the form of an emulsion. One objection to this medicine 
is, that cod-liver oil, to produce its full effects, should not only be 
long continued in use, but should be given in increased doses, so 
that in the form of an emulsion, except for children, the quantities 
would be excessively bulky. By far the best way to take it, 
whether pure or rancid, is the following: When porter (or beer) 
is not contra-indicated, put two or three table-spoonfuls of it in a 
a small tumbler, pour on to this the oil, to be taken without stir- 
ring or otherwise mixing them, and then agitate the bottle of por- 
ter, and cover the oil with the foamy beverage. By this means the 
patient does not see the oil, the first impression in the throat is 
from the porter, and the oil passes down untasted, whilst the sub- 
stratum of the beverage effectually removes any lingering taste of 
the medicine. It is well to take a sip of the porter before taking 
the dose. 
The syrup of sarsaparilla answers equally well, and is devoid of 
the stimulant quality of the porter. When the oil is in its purest 
state, but little difficulty is presented in swallowing it, and it may 
be taken floating on peppermint or other aromatic water, observ- 
ing to swallow a mouthful of the unmixed water before hand. 
A far more serious objection, according to Mr. Hubbell, to taking 
rancid cod-liver oil in the form of an emulsine, is that when so 
taken it remains longer in the stomach, becomes mixed with its 
contents, and gives rise to eructations more disagreeable to the 
patient than the act of swallowing the medicine. On the other 
hand, when taken merely floating on a vehicle in the manner men- 
tioned, the oil soon passes into the duodenum, and its exhibition 
is attended with less of the disagreeable accompaniment mention- 
