548 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



application of nitric acid shows that bile has nothing to do 

 with this coloring. If a fragment of caustic potash be let 

 fall to the bottom of a tube containing urine charged with 

 senna, a magnificent purple color is produced; but nothing 

 of the sort takes place under the influence of potash in icter- 

 ic urine. This coloring has been observed in all the patients 

 who have taken senna whose urine has been examined even 

 where only half an ounce of the infusion, or a black draught 

 of the codex, has been administered. 20 A, August 30,1874, 

 237. 



MAGNESITE FOR SURGICAL BANDAGES. 



Masmesite, a natural carbonate of magnesia, is suggested 

 by Kiister for use with surgical bandages, as being supe- 

 rior to gypsum in lightness, firmness, cleanliness, simplicity, 

 and rapidity of application, and in resistance to moisture, 

 cheapness, and permanence. For use, one part of finely pul- 

 verized magnesite (according to Bottger, dolomite also an- 

 swers exceedingly well) is stirred gradually into three parts 

 of water-glass solution, thus forming a thin paste, through 

 which one or more linen bands are drawn, so as to become 

 completely saturated. They are then wrapped in two, or at 

 most three, layers around the limb, previously enveloped in 

 flannel bands. In twenty-four to thirty-six hours, during 

 which the limb must be kept still, it will acquire a stony hard- 

 ness, will endure any weight, and last without apparent 

 change for months. 14 C\ CCIX., 1873, 153. 



CURE FOR A COLD. 



The general superintendent of the royal theatres in Berlin 

 recommended the following recipe, by Dr. Hagar, to the act- 

 ors under his charge as a certain remedy for incipient catarrh, 

 and as without any injurious effects. Mix five parts of pure 

 carbolic acid with fifteen of alcohol, and five parts of aqua 

 ammonia (sp. gr. 960) with ten of distilled water, and preserve 

 the two mixtures in separate glass-stoppered bottles. For 

 use, pour a few drops from each bottle into an empty tumbler, 

 and with the eyes tightly closed, and the mouth and nose 

 immediately above the tumbler, inhale the vapor from the 

 mixture. The momentary pungent sensation in the nose may 

 not be pleasant at first, or may even be painful in acute ca- 



