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COD-LIVER OIL. ^<,c,

oil, of the specific gravity of 1.076. Its odor resembles that of
oil of cloves, and has a sharp, penetrating taste. It does not
decompose at ordinary temperatures, and is not affected by
exposure to the air. It is soluble in water and alcohol, but the
aqueous solution is the more potent as a germicide. It is not
poisonous, and when pure will coagulate albumen. For dental
uses eugenol is of considerable value. When applied to exposed
or partially exposed pulps of teeth it usually relieves the pain in
from one to two minutes. For inflamed and congested pulps, it
has been suggested to first apply a solution of borax and then
eugenol. It also answers well as a dressing for root canals, espe-
cially after the removal of a recently devitalized pulp. In
alveolar pyorrhoea, it is used in solution, i part of eugenol to
1000 of water, for the purpose of cleansing the pus pockets. In
alveolar abscesses it has been suggested as an injection, after the
use of peroxide of hydrogen, taking the precaution, in cases of
abscesses with a fistulous tract, to seal the root at the apex. It
has also been successfully employed in the treatment of benign
tumors of the mouth, in the form of an injection of two drops.
OLEUM MORRHU.^i—COD-LIVER OIL.
Source.—Cod-liver oil is obtained from the liver of the cod,
Gadus morrhucc^ and is in the form of a fixed oil, containing
biliary principle, traces of iodine, bromine, phosphorus, lime,
magnesia, iron, soda and sulphuric and phosphoric acids; also a
principle known as gaduin. By distillation with ammonia, it
yields prop\lamin. The pale oil is considered to be the best for
internal use, and is the officinal preparation. Iodine, phosphorus,
bromine and iron are often combined with cod-liver oil, but are
considered to add nothing to its therapeutical powers. The
special medicinal value of this oil depends upon the gaduin and
propylamin, which are constituents of bile, iodine, phosphorus,
bromine, etc., as well as upon the common ingredients of animal
fat. The phosphates, hypo-phosphites, or the lacto-phosphate of
lime are often combined with cod-liver oil, with excellent effects.
Medical Properties and Therapeutic Uses.—Cod-liver oil is con-
sidered to be a valuable remedy in certain forms of phthisis, such