If the theory be correct that in gout in general there is no increased forma tion of uric acid, but that the blood of gouty persons is only faintly alkaline and therefore less capable of holding uric acid or its salts in solution, the adminis tration of lyeetol (the tartrate of a piper azin derivative) must produce the com bined effects of its components. Lycetol also possesses the great advantages of having an agreeable taste and of being non-hygroseopical. Its aqueous solution has an agreeable acid taste, and if sugar be added it is cooling, like lemonade, and does not excite repugnance when admin istered for a long time. Wittzaek (All gerneine med. Central-Zeit., No. 7, '94).
LYsinix. — This is also known as methyl-glyoxalidin, or ethylene-ethenyl diamin, and is obtained by dry distilla tion from sodium acetate with ethylene diamin hydrochlorate. It occurs in pinkish, hygroscopical crystals, having a mousy odor. It is readily soluble in water, and has been recommended by Ladenburg as being non-toxic, five times superior to piperazin in dissolving uric acid, and as not causing digestive troubles or albuminuria.
Lysidin tried in acute and chronic gout. It was given in daily progressive doses of '/, to drachms in 1 pint of gaseous water. Even concentrated solu tions (1 to 100) were taken without re pugnance, especially when iced. No un toward symptoms of any sort were ob served, and no dislike for the medicine was expressed, even after continued use. Lysidin proved to be a powerful remedy for gout, the pain ceasing soon after its use was begun, the joints becoming supple and the tophi diminishing. E. Grawitz (Dent. med. Woch., No. 41, '94).
Piperazin and lysidin, as well as the ordinary alkalies, the lithium salts and sodium salicylate, do not exercise any special solvent effect upon sodium bi urate and their administration to gouty subjects with the object of removing uratie deposits in the joints and tissues appears to he useless, and, moreover, it is apparently contra-indicated in gout on account of its leading to an increased formation of uric acid in the kidneys. Luff (Lancet, June 11, '98).