Succus Bovinus. Beef Juice.
Synonym.—Succus Bovillus.
Related entry: Beef Tea
Beef juice is prepared from fresh, lean beef, free from fat. The beef is thinly sliced, and subjected to pressure, the juice collected, and the pressure increased as the liquid ceases to flow. The juice prepared as described contains about 8 per cent. of coagulable protein. It should be freshly prepared as required, and the residue left after extracting the juice may be employed in making a beef extract, as it still contains much nutriment, which can be extracted by treatment with water.
Action and Uses.—Beef juice is used as a nutritive and gastric stimulant for infants and invalids. Its gastric effect is produced by its action in the mouth reflexly exciting the stomach to secretion. For infants, 10 or 15 drops may be given, with three or four meals of the day. It should not be mixed with hot liquids.
