N. MATERIA MEDICA, THERAPEUTICS, AND HYGIENE.555 



present volume we have special papers on the occurrence of 

 arsenic in certain green colors ; on the proper provision for 

 the insane ; on the use and abuse of opium ; on the effect of 

 sewing-machines upon the health of women ; and others. The 

 article on arsenic is illustrated by specimens of the paper it- 

 self, and timely warning is given not to make use of paper so 

 colored either for covering walls, for putting up candies, or 

 for any other purpose. The inquiry into the consequences 

 resulting from the use of sewing-machines is of much im- 

 portance, as the note of alarm has been raised on several oc- 

 casions in regard to their supposed deleterious influences. 

 The result of the inquiry in the present case, which agrees 

 with one lately made by Decaisne in Paris, is to show that, 

 in this as in other occupations, no real evil is to be expected 

 beyond that caused by the fatigue and close confinement. 



APOMOEPHIA OF NO THEEAPEUTIC VALUE. 



Siebert informs us that apomorphine, to which considerable 

 therapeutic value has been ascribed by Richardson and oth- 

 ers, is of comparatively little real merit in its physiological 

 action, and is very subject to decomposition. 1 8 C, March 6, 

 1872,151. 



CEOTON CHLOEAL, A NEW HYPNOTIC. 



Dr. Liebreich, of Berlin, to whom we owe the discovery of 

 hydrate of chloral, has lately been investigating the physi- 

 ological properties of a new organic compound formed by the 

 action of chlorine upon allylene, and which he calls croton 

 chloral. When administered to animals a peculiar effect is 

 produced, the head being to a great extent rendered insen- 

 sible to feeling, while the rest of the body remains compara- 

 tively sensible. If the inhalation is prolonged, the spinal 

 cord loses its function, and reflex excitability is every where 

 extinguished. During that stage both pulse and respiration 

 remain unchanged. The third stage, which is induced by 

 large doses, is characterized by paralysis of the medulla ob- 

 longata, and death. Animals may, however, be kept alive by 

 artificial respiration, because the action of the heart is not in- 

 terfered with, while the ultimate effect of hydrate of chloral 

 is to paralyze the heart. Croton chloral, therefore, promises 

 to produce all the good effects of hydrate of chloral, without 



