A.m.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Aug.,  1891. 
Fanciful  Animal  Remedies. 
413 
Clotting  in  plasma  obtained  from  blood,  prevented  from  coagulat- 
ing by  admixture  with  leech  extract  (either  intravenously  or  after  it 
is  shed),  cannot  be  induced  by  carbonic  anhydride  or  by  dilute 
acetic  acid;  it  can,  however,  always  be  induced  by  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  fibrin  ferment.  Such  plasma  gives  no  precipitate  on 
cooling.  « 
Fibrin  soaked  in  leech  extract  fails  to  yield  ferment  when  subse-  * 
quently  treated  with  8  per  cent,  sodium  chloride  solution.  The 
extract,  however,  still  contains  cell-globulin.  Cell-globulin  pre- 
pared from  lymphatic  glands  by  Halliburton's  method  (1888)  retains 
all  its  properties,  except  its  fibrinoplastic  power,  when  treated  with 
leech  extract.  This  is  regarded  as  an  argument  in  favor  of  the  non- 
identity  of  the  cell-globulin  and  fibrin  ferment. 
FANCIFUL  ANIMAL  REMEDIES  IN  PHARMACY. 
By  P.  L.  Simmonds,  F.Iy.S. 
In  the  present  day  Hygeia  entrusts  her  reputation,  and  the  safety  of  inva- 
lids, chiefly  to  vegetable  and  mineral  substances.  But  it  has  been  well  observed 
if  science  is  reserved  in  the  employment  of  animal  substances  in  the  Pharma- 
copoeia, ignorance  and  credulity  have  given  full  flight  to  their  fancy  in  many 
countries.  "  Fools  have  rushed  in  where  angels  feared  to  tread."  Especially 
is  this  the  case  in  the  Chinese  Empire,  where  animal  substances  enter  exten" 
sively  into  the  remedies  of  the  doctor.  The  following  are  reliable  statements, 
published  in  connection  with  the  pharmaceutical  collections  shown  by  the 
Chinese  Imperial  Maritime  Customs  at  different  International  Exhibitions, 
The  gall  bladder  of  the  bear  is  prescribed  for  affections  of  the  liver  and  oph- 
thalmia. They  fetch  about  $2.50  each.  The  cow  bezoar  is  considered  a  seda- 
tive and  tonic,  and  cow's  gall  expectorant.  Glue  made  from  asses'  hides  is  a 
tonic  for  the  liver  and  kidneys,  and  stimulant.  Glue  from  tigers'  bones  is  also 
tonic,  that  made  from  buffalo  hides  is  considered  sedative. 
Musk  is  used  as  a  stimulating  and  antispasmodic  medicine,  and  pills  made 
of  musk  and  Barus  camphor,  etc.,  covered  with  wax,  are  considered  sedative 
and  mildly  expectorant.  Portions  of  a  tiger''  s  skull  art  administered  in  typhoid 
fever,  ague  and  rheumatic  headache,  and  are  also  given  to  a  person  who  has 
been  bitten  by  a  mad  dog  to  prevent  hydrophobia. 
The  horns  of  a  small  species  of  anlelope  are  given  as  a  cooling  medicine, 
and  supposed  to  cure  inflammation  of  the  lungs  and  liver.'  They  range  from  80 
cents  each  to  $180  a  picul  or  1%  cwt.  A  gelalin  made  by  boiling  down  young 
deer  horns  is  given  as  a  tonic,  but  this  costs  $500  the  picul.  In  some  years 
600  pairs  of  these  horns  are  secured.  The  horns  broken  and  boiled  to  the 
consistency  of  jelly  are  also  given  as  a  stimulant  in  nervous  ailments,  for  sper- 
matorrhea* and  leucorrhoea.    The  horns  sell  at  $5  a  pair. 
A  decoction  of  the  shavings  of  rhinoceros  horns  is  taken  in  fever,  small-pox, 
ophthalmia,  haemoptysis,  etc.     These  horns  of  the  Sumatran  and  Siamese 
