Abstract: A liquid or pasty dentifrice comprising, uniformly incorporated therein, a polysaccharide as a thickening and suspending agent, said polysaccharide having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of not less than 100,000 and the molecule of said polysaccharide containing D-glucose, D-mannose, D-galactose and succinic acid in the approximate molar ratio of 1 : 0.03 : 0.1 : 0.2. The polysaccharide is obtained by cultivating Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes in a culture medium containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, pyruvic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid and esters thereof and saccharide.

Abstract: Oral compositions are disclosed which contain germicidally active plastic powders. The plastic powders employed are resinous materials having a germicide absorbed therein preferably in a concentration of at least about 0.1% by weight of the resin. Germicides and plastic powders suitable for use in oral compositions are discussed.

Abstract: A method and therapeutic compositions for inducing interferon formation in vivo. To a host is administered an interferon inducer of the formula: ##SPC1##Wherein X is a member selected from the group consisting of bromo and iodo and Y is a member selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl when X is bromo; or Y is a member selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, benzyl and chloro when X is iodo.