Origin. - A fixed oil obtained from the fresh livers of Gadus morrrhua L. and other species of Gadus.

Description and Properties. - A pale-yellow, thin, oily liquid, having a peculiar, slightly fishy, but not rancid odor, and a bland, slightly fishy taste. Specific gravity 0.918 to 0.922 at 25o C. (77o F.). Scarcely soluble in alcohol, but readily soluble in ether, chloroform, or carbon disulphide, also in 2.5 parts of acetic ether. It contains glycerides of stearin and palmitin, traces of iodine, bromine, chlorine, biliary salts, phosphoric and sulphuric acids, and several alkaloids (leucomains), possibly decomposition-products. The most important of these, isolated by Gautier, are butyla-mine, hexylamine, amylamine, asseline, and morrhuine. It is doubtful if any one active principle exists in this oil.

Morrhuoi., a name given by Chapoteaut to a mixture of the various alkaloids and important principles of cod-liver oil, occurs as an amber-brown, bitter, aromatic liquid.

Dose. - 1-4 fluidrams (3.8-15.0 Cc.) [4 fluidrams (16 Cc), U. S. P.].