Saccharine : the new sweet product from coal-tar 300 times the sweetening power of cane sugar a powerful antiseptic absolutely non-fermenting positively harmless to the human system / Wilson, Salamon & Co.

  • Wilson, Salamon & Co.
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Saccharine : the new sweet product from coal-tar 300 times the sweetening power of cane sugar a powerful antiseptic absolutely non-fermenting positively harmless to the human system / Wilson, Salamon & Co. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    with advantages of even greater importance. They are due to the marked antiseptic properties of saccharine, qualities which might almost have been predicted for it, seeing its close chemical con¬ nection with the phenol compounds. A series of most careful and accurate experiments upon the antiseptic properties of saccharine have been carried out by Aducco and Mosso, and subsequently by Stutzer and Stadelman, all proving conclusively that it possesses marked powers in this direction, and that it is almost as energetic in its action as salicylic acid and thymol. It can, moreover, be applied where it would be impracticable to use the latter bodies. It has, moreover, been shown to exert a strongly retarding influence upon alkaline fermentation of urine, an observation which is not likely to be lost sight of by medical men. The physiological researches relating to saccharine have been of a most searching and complete character, and have embraced a study of its action upon various species, including the frog, the dog, and the human being. In all cases the result has been the same. No matter where or how administered it has passed unchanged with amazing rapidity into the bladder. The urine has always tasted sweet some little time after saccharine has been administered, and within 24 hours it has entirely disappeared from the system, without leaving the slightest signs of its presence, even when seventy-five grains doses were given daily. It has, moreover, been proved to be without action upon ptyalin, diastaste, or the digestive functions of the system. It is not absorbed by, nor is its presence discernible in, human milk, and even when injected under the skin or directly into the intestines, the result is the same. It is rapidly absorbed, and within half-an-hour may be found unchanged in the urine. The latter is, moreover, unaffected with respect to its gravity and components, even in cases where the slightest variation in diet would immediately and injuriously affect the urinary system. From this it will be apparent that saccharine cannot usurp the functions of a food. From the medical man’s point of view it must rather be regarded as a condiment or flavouring, which may advantageously replace sugar in all cases where the latter is contra¬ indicated. It will be employed with benefit in the treatment of