192 ON PEPSINE. 
In conclusion, it is observed, that theexcellence of the pro- 
duct furnished by this process, has caused it to receive the 
sanction of the committee of the Philadelphia College of 
Pharmacy, now engaged in revising the formulae of the United 
States Pharmacopoeia. 
ART. XXXIV. — ON PEPSINE, THE PRINCIPLE OF DIGES- 
TION. By M. Wasmann. 
In very extensive detail, M. Schwann has demonstrated 
that the gastric juice contains a peculiar principle, which he 
denominated Pepsine, although he had not obtained it in a 
pure state. M. Wasmann has succeeded in isolating this 
principle, which he considers to be contained in the grumous 
matter which fills the internal cells of the glandular membrane 
of the stomach. 
M. Wasmann prepares Pepsine in the following manner: 
he washes the membrane, and digests it in distilled water, at 
the temperature of 30° to 35° c: several hours after, he de- 
cants the liquid, and again washes the membrane with cold 
water, until it exhales a putrid odor. These liquors, mixed 
and filtered, yield a transparent, somewhat viscid liquid, pos- 
sessing eminent digestive powers, especially when acidulated 
with hydrochloric acid. To procure the pepsine in a pure 
state, acetate of lead is to be added, the precipitate washed, 
suspended in water and decomposed by a current of sulphuret- 
ted hydrogen gas. The liquid separated from the new pre- 
cipitate is acid and colorless. It is now evaporated to a syrupy 
consistence, at a temperature not exceeding 35° c, and abso- 
lute alcohol added, by which an abundant flocculent precipi- 
tate is produced, which when carefully dried assumes the 
form of a yellow, gummy matter, not attractive of moisture'; 
this is the pure pepsine of M. Wasmann. 
This substance is soluble in water, which it renders acid, 
