When first employed as a stomachic tonic it was administered in the form of the hydrochlorate. This proved so unpleasant in its effect on the stomach, and vomiting was so often induced by it, that it fell into discredit. It was then ascertained by Prof. F. Penzoldt that if given in the basic form—that is, un-combined—it could be readily taken without any unpleasant after effects.

As phenyldihydroquinazoline, it occurs as a white powder, which is soluble in hot water. It may be placed on the tongue and swallowed with water without giving rise to any pungent sensation or causing nausea. It may be given in wafer, or capsule, or in an ordinary pill mass, the dose ranging from two to five grains, an hour or two before meals.

Orexine is a stomachic tonic, in regard to which there is remarkable unanimity of opinion. It promotes appetite, occurring as a symptom in a great variety of affections. It appears to be contraindicated in stomach ulcer. It has proved useful in the anorexia of nervous subjects, in hysteria, in neurasthenia, and allied states. The author has found it most beneficial as a stomachic tonic in many neurasthenic subjects, otherwise difficult of management. The reports as to its utility in the vomiting of pregnancy have also been highly favorable.

While orexine is thus useful as a stomachic tonic, in the direct sense, it has proved beneficial, indirectly, as a means of improving the nutrition in various wasting diseases, as in tuberculosis, chronic gastro. intestinal catarrh, and similar maladies. It may, therefore, be administered when it is desirable to promote constructive tissue metamorphosis, when from impaired appetite the requisite amount of aliment can not be taken, and it can be used also when the stomach is functionally deranged by a reflex impression, as in the case of the vomiting of pregnancy. The range of its utility is therefore "wide and varied.

Orexine Tannate has been proposed as a substitute for the basic orexine and for the hydrochlorate. Its chemical designation is phenyl-dihydroquinazoline tannate. It has the advantage of being an odorless and tasteless yellowish-white powder. It has been used with much advantage in promoting appetite and improving nutrition in various diseases—in phthisis, cardiac affections, after surgical procedures, and the vomiting of pregnancy. This preparation is contraindi-cated in the same conditions as the basic orexine when there is excessive acidity, and in ulcer.

Quinine and Urethan

It has been lately ascertained that the hydrochlorate of quinine and urethan (ethylic), triturated together with a small amount of water, make a transparent, permanent solution, which may be utilized for the stomachal and subcutaneous administration of quinine. The following formula should be used: Rx Quininae hydrochlorat, 3 j ; urethan (ethylic), 3 ss.; aquae destil., 3 j. M. Sig.: Dose, from ten minims upward. This solution is free from irritant qualities, and the urethan, by its sedative effect on the nerve centers, moderates the unpleasant effects of the quinine. The chief advantage of this combination exists in the facility with which quinine may be administered hypodermatically. It is necessary to note that it is only the hydrochlorate of quinine that urethan will act on as a solvent, and it is in about the proportion given above that a perfect solution is effected.