M. MATERIA MEDICA, THERAPEUTICS, AND HYGIENE. 551 



when life is present the needle soon becomes tarnished by 

 oxidation, while on the other hand, if death has taken place, 

 the needle will retain its brightness for half an hour or more. 

 According to Dr. Laborde, the author of the communication, 

 oxidation, with its attendant electrical phenomena, indicates 

 that death is only apparent, and the entire absence of oxida- 

 tion is a sign of real death. 6 A, August 20, 240. 



SPONGY IRON AS A DEODORIZER. 



By calcining a finely divided iron ore with charcoal, the 

 species of iron known as spongy iron is obtained, which, ac- 

 cording to Dr. Voelcker, is a deodorizer of greater potency 

 than animal charcoal. By filtering sewage water through 

 this material it becomes thoroughly purified, a much smaller 

 quantity than is required of animal charcoal answering the 

 purpose. "Water treated in this way, and kept from exposure 

 to the atmosphere, has remained perfectly fresh and sweet for 

 many months without any indications of cryptogamic vege- 

 tation. 13 A, February 15, 141. 



STYPTIC COTTON. 



Dr. Ehrle prepares an excellent styptic cotton by boiling 

 it first in a solution of soda, and then saturating it with a so- 

 lution of chloride of iron. This is to be dried and kept for 

 use, and is applied to a wound like ordinary lint, either di- 

 rectly or in coarse gauze fastened on by means of a compress. 

 1 C, xxiii., 363. 



REMOVING WAX FROM THE EAR. 



From careful experiments made by a physician of Lyons, 

 it has been ascertained that the old remedy of warm water 

 is the best solvent of accumulated wax in the ear, being su- 

 perior to olive-oil, glycerine, etc. 14 A, November, 1870, 360. 



SPONGE PAPER. 



For the fabrication of an article called sponge paper, lately 

 patented in France, evenly and finely divided sponge is added 

 to ordinary pulp, and this is worked, as in the common paper- 

 making apparatus, into sheets of different thicknesses. It is 

 said to have all the peculiarities of sponge, absorbing water 

 readily and remaining moist a long time. It has been used 



