mine: it differs from the others by its extreme adherence to water, with which it assumes an oleaginous form, and partly passes through the paper filter. This combination, it appears, may exist in different proportions, which I have not been able yet to determine, except that it does not putrefy: whereas in the others, a fetid smell arises in a few days, and much later than if the gelatine was pure. The combinations of the gallic acid with gelatine and extractive matter unite less freely with water, and resemble much the precipitates formed by the infusion of nut-galls in the gelatinous solution. Verdigris. Senor Orfila has found that great quantities of dry sugar taken into the stomach of a patient who had recently swallowed verdigris, or eaten food prepared in untinned copper vessels, have proved an immediate and effectual antidote to the cupreous poison. In cases where the poison has remained so long in the stomach as to produce inflammation, the usual remedies for the latter must be conjoined with the sugar. Detonating Oil. The original discovery of this substance, which has been claimed by M. Dulong, and actually discovered by Davy, appears to belong to M. Van Mons of Brussels. This distinguished chemist, whose discoveries have often been appropriated by others, observed in 1793, the combination of ammonia with oxygenated muriatic acid. Nineteen years before the experiments of Dulong or Davy, he announced his discovery to Gren, in the following terms, dated Messidor, an 4 (1796): "I have succeeded in combining ammonia with oxymuriatic acid without any decomposition whatever of these two bodies. This new salt detonates at a certain degree of heat, whether in the open air, under water, or under other liquids by which it is not decomposed*." The same facts were stated in Dandolo's "Es ist mer gelurgen das ammiak mit der oxigenirten salzsaure zu verbinden ohne dass dabey eine zersetzung dieser substanzen vorgegangen waere. Dieses neues zalz detonirt beg einem gewissen grad de waerme, sowohl in freyer luft als unter wasser und anderen tropfbaren flussigkeiten die es nicht zersetzen."—Neues Journal der Physik. Bd. 3. s. 230. Italian translation of Van Mons's Chemical Philosophy, "Il muriato ossigenato d'ammoniaco si reduce à suoì principie detona à conforza anche sotto l'acqua, colla semplice impressione del calore." Van Mons's Mémoire, &c. to the Royal Academy of Sweden, p. 224-5. Philosophical Transactions. The Philosophical Transactions, part ii. for 1814, has just made its appearance, and the following are its contents: 15. On a new principle of constructing His Majesty's ships of war. By Robert Seppings, Esq. one of the Surveyors of His Majesty's Navy. Communicated by the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K. B. P. R. S.-16. Remarks on the employment of Oblique Riders, and on other alterations in the construction of Ships. Being the substance of a Report presented to the Board of Admiralty, with additional demonstrations and illustrations. By Thomas Young, M.D. For. Sec. R.S.-17. Some further Observations on Atmospherical Refraction. By Stephen Groombridge, Esq. F.R.S.-18. Propositions containing some Properties of Tangents to Circles; and of Trapeziums inscribed in Circles, and non-inscribed. Together with Propositions on the Elliptic Representations of Circles, upon a plane surface, by Perspective. By Richard Hey, L.L.D.; late Fellow of Sidney Sussex and Magdalen Colleges, in the University of Cambridge. Communicated by the Rev. Edward Balme, M.A. F.R.S.-19. On new Properties of Light exhibited in the optical Phenomena of Mother of Pearl, and other Bodies to which the superficial structure of that Substance can be communicated. By David Brewster, LL.D. F.R.S. Edin. and F.S.A. Edin. In a Letter addressed to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K.B. P.R.S.-20. An improved method of dividing Astronomical Circles and other Instruments. By Captain Henry Kater. Communicated by Thomas Young, M.D. For. Sec. R.S.-21. Results of some recent Experiments on the Properties impressed upon Light by the Action of Glass raised to different Temperatures, and cooled under different circumstances. By David Brewster, LL.D. F.R.S. Edin. and F.A.S.E. in a Letter to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K.B. P.R.S. &c.-22. Consi deration of various Points of Analysis. By John F. W. Herschel, Esq. F.R.S.-23. Observations on the Functions of the Brain. By Sir Everard Home, Bart. F.R.S.-24. Further Experiments and Observations on Iodine. By Sir H. Davy, LL.D. F.R.S. V.P.R.I.-25. Observations respecting the natural Production of Saltpetre on the walls of subterraneous and other Buildings. By John Kidd, M.D. Professor of Chemistry at Oxford. Communicated by William Hyde Wollaston, M.D. Sec. R.S.-26. On the Nature of the Salts termed triple Prussiates, and on Acids formed by the union of certain Bodies with the Elements of the Prussic Acid. By Robert Porrett, jun. Esq. Communicated by William Hyde Wollas- ton, M.D. Sec. R.S.-27. Some Experiments on the Combustion of the Diamond and other carbonaceous Substances. By Sir Humphry Davy, L.L.D. F.R.S. V.P.R.I.-28. Some account of the fossil Remains of an Animal more nearly allied to Fishes than any of the other Classes of Animals. By Sir Everard Home, Bart. F.R.S.-29. On an easier Mode of procuring Potassium than that which is now adopted. By Smithson Tennant, Esq. F.R.S.-30. On the influence of the Nerves upon the Action of the Arteries. By Sir Everard Home, Bart. F.R.S-31. On the Means of producing a double Distillation by the same Heat. By Smithson Tennant, Esq. F.R.S.—32. An Account of some Experiments on Arterial Heat. By John Davy, LL.D. F.R.S.-Philosophical Magazine and fournal, November, 1814. Ointment for the Cure of Itch. We some time ago noticed the employment of baths, prepared from the sulphuret of potass, for the cure of herpes; the same substance is also used with success in the form of ointment to cure the itch, as in the following formula. Sulphuret of potass, vj. white soap, fbij. poppy oil, fiv. aromatic essential oil of any kind, 3ij. The sulphuret of potass is to be pounded in an iron mortar slightly heated, the powder to be passed through a sieve, and to be kept in a dry well stopped vial. The soap, finely sliced, is to be melted in an earthen vessel placed in a sand bath; the liver of sulphur being rubbed in a marble mortar, the mixture of oil and soap is to be gradually added. When they are so thoroughly mixed, that lumps of soap can no longer be discovered, the remainder of the oil, together with the essential oil, is to be poured in, and the whole thoroughly incorporated. The ointment thus made, is to be kept in a close vessel; it is of a greenish colour and becomes white by the contact of air; its consistence nearly that of cerate. The odour of the sulphuretted hydrogen gas is entirely concealed by that of the volatile oil, which is the only reason for employing this latter. The mode of using this ointment consists in rubbing half an ounce of it upon the parts affected, night and morning; care must be taken not to suffer the ointment to remain too long a time at the bend of the elbows, or armpits, or groins, lest it should irritate and excoriate the skin. If the eruption is a simple itch, no other application, external or internal, is requisite; eight days is generally sufficient for the cure. M. Jadelot has made use of this ointment, for a whole year, in the hospital for children, without experiencing any return of the complaint or any inconvenience. This application is very easy and not at all expensive, adapted to all ages and professions, and does not require any confinement, or interruption from business. M. M. PLANCHE and BOULLAY have recommended the sulphuretted soap of soda as an effectual cure for the itch. The following is their method of preparing it: Animal soap, ij. Alcohol at 38°, Živ. Dissolve in a gentle heat, and before the solution is quite cold, add hydrogenated sulphuret of soda concentrated to 36° (Baumé) Zi. incorporate them well and preserve the mixture in a well stopped bottle. This sulphuretted soap is of a fine yellow colour, semi-transparent, having the aspect and consistence of solid jelly. The sulphur contained in it is in such a minute degree of division as fits it more readily for absorption; it melts with facility by the heat of the hand when employed in friction, and is very soluble in water when it is wished to make a bath from it. In either case it renders the skin soft and supple. Compositions containing the sulphuret of potass are liable to much inconvenience and uncertainty, which are obviated by making use of the sulphuret of soda. This latter may be conveniently prepared by dissolving to saturation sublimed sulphur in a solution of pure soda. This sulphuret has the advantage of being always identical in its properties, and may be kept a long time without undergoing any alteration; it is not sensibly alkaline, and forms with all acids soluble salts which do not injure the skin. It appears that all natural sulphuretted minerals have soda for their base. Dr. THOMANN, a German physician, uses the following ointment for the cure of the itch. Powder of fresh charcoal, zij. fresh butter and axunge, of each Ziij. These are to be rubbed together, until they are completely incorporated. The patient is first to use a warm bath, and the next day to rub the affected parts with two drachms of the ointment; he is afterwards to wash himself with warm soap and water. The day following, the friction is to be repeated, and in about five or six days the disease will be radically cured.-London New Medical and Physical Journal for Feb. and March, 1815. Mr. ACCUM has in the press, A Treatise on Gas Light; exhibiting a summary description of the apparatus and machinery best calculated for illuminating streets, houses, and public edifices, with carburetted hydrogen or coal gas; together with remarks on the utility, safety, and general nature of this new branch of civil economy. The Treatise will be illustrated with geometrical and perspective designs, exhibiting the structure of the larger gas light apparatus now successfully employed for lighting the streets and houses of the metropolis, as well as the smaller apparatus used for lighting manufactories and private establishments.-Ibid. for March, 1815. From the last literary intelligence from London, it appears that the tenth volume of the French Dictionary of Medical Sciences, (of which we have given some account in this number) had reached that place. This volume embraces only the very commencement of the letter E. A considerable work on Medical Botany is announced, as a companion to the French VOL. V. 4 A No. 20. |