GASTRIC CATARRH AND HEPATIC TORPOR.—That ammonium chloride is valuable in catarrhal disorders of the stomach, especially in children, is sus tained by the frequency with which it is still resorted to. It may be given in compressed pills, but a half-tumblerful of pure water should be taken simulta neously to prevent the irritating action of the salt itself upon the gastric mucous membrane. Milk may be used instead of water.
In all conditions characterized by torpidity of the liver, whether due to subacute hepatitis or general asthenia, chloride of ammonium is very valuable, in doses of 20 grains three times a day.
In doses of 1 drachms per day it enhances the assimilation of fatty arti cles of food, increases the diure_sis, and diminishes the body-weight. IV. V. Mali nine (These de St. Petersbourg, '93).
In daily doses of '5 grains chloride of ammonium increases the assimilation of nitrogenous food. The elimination of
improperly-oxidized prod lets of neutral sulphur and of nitrogenous waste is augmented. It diminiAhes the number of the stools, but increases the absolute quantity of urine and the urinary salts. The reaction of the urine remains acid. but its specific gravity is diminished.
V. S. Tchernycheff (These de St. Peters bourg, '93).
Ammonium chloride nets as a stimu lant to the liver, causing- at. the same time a slight diminution in the amount of free iron in the organ. T. L. Brunton and S. Delc'pine (Proceedings of the Royal Soe., No. 334. '94).
Encouraging results from the use of ammonium chloride in dysentery. Sixty grains may he given every four hours: this rapidly decreases the amount of blood and the severity of the pain. J.
W. S. ittygalle (Brit. Med. Jour.. Jan. •9, '95).