ii2  Standardisation  of  Digitalis  Bodies.    {AmMfr°c\r;  J*J^ 
capable  of  materially  altering  the  activity  of  some  of  the  digitalis 
preparations. 
The  cat  method  has  neither  of  these  disadvantages.  The  ques- 
tion of  absorption  does  not  enter,  as  the  drug  is  introduced  directly 
into  the  circulation.  The  alcoholic  content  of  the  preparation  does 
not  prevent  its  assay  without  evaporation  unless  it  is  extremely 
weak  in  cardiac  activity,  for  the  preparation  is  diluted  for  injection 
and  the  administration  is  so  slow  that  the  alcohol  which  is  intro- 
duced never  accumulates  in  the  body  to  an  extent  sufficient  to  cause 
more  than  very  slight  cerebral  depression.  When  the  preparation 
is  very  highly  alcoholic,  or  so  weak  that  a  relatively  large  volume 
of  alcohol  would  have  to  be  given,  it  is  still  unnecessary  to  remove 
any  of  the  alcohol  or  to  reduce  the  volume  by  evaporation,  for  the 
combined  method  with  ouabain  is  readily  applicable  and  gives 
equally  good  results.  These  statements  are  supported  by  the  ex- 
periments cited  in  Table  2. 
Table  2. 
Standardization  of  Liquid  Digalen. 
Cat  Method. 
Specimen  Dose  in  c.c.  X  kg. 
A  1.86 
2.06 
1.94 
B  2,00 
2.06 
2.03 
c  i-57 
i-59 
1  -17 
1-55 
"  1-74 
One  Hour  Frog  Method — Specimem  C. 
Dose  in  c.c.  X  kg.  Result  Remarks 
0.045  beating  incomplete  absorption 
0.045  systolic  stand  still  complete  absorption 
0.060  beating  incomplete  absorption 
0.060  beating  incomplete  absorption 
0.075  beating  incomplete  absorption 
0.075  systolic  stand  still  complete  absorption 
