CHEMICAL SCIENCE. 197 



that the chloroform narcotism is due to the imperfect stimulus of the 

 vital functions by mal-oxygenated blood, and caused by the direct 

 caustic action of chloroform upon the blood, and especially on the 

 blood corpuscles and their cell-walls. If the blood be so much dete- 

 riorated as to supply an insufficient stimulus to the heart, death 

 ensues by syncope. If stagnation be effected in the vessels of the 

 lungs, death takes place by suspended respiration. 



NEW ANAESTHETIC. 



During the past few months considerable interest has been excited 

 among members of the medical profession by an attempt to introduce 

 into practice a volatile liquid, possessing anaesthetic properties, which 

 is obtained as an incidental product in the manufacture of coal oil. 

 Of the chemical history of this substance called keroselene by its 

 manufacturers but little is known. Professor Bacon, of the Har- 

 vard Medical School, informs us " that a sample in his possession is 

 of sp. gr. 0.640 at 72 Fah. When heated in a flask containing 

 scraps of platinum foil, it began to boil at about 85 Fah. As the 

 more volatile parts distilled off, the temperature continued to rise, 

 and at 170 about three-quarters of the liquid had evaporated. It 

 continued to boil feebly, but the whole was not converted into vapor 

 until the thermometer had risen considerably above 300. It is evi- 

 dent that several, perhaps many, hydrocarbons are present, having a 

 wide range of boiling points. Probably the most volatile of them 

 would be gaseous at ordinary temperatures, if isolated. It is remark- 

 able that the keroselene should be so readily and completely volatile at 

 atmospheric temperatures. I found that keroselene and Squibbs' ether, 

 exposed in watch-glasses, lost equal weights in two and a half and 

 three and a half minutes respectively ; and the former evaporated 

 completely in about two-thirds of the time required for the ether. 

 The specimen which I examined contained a little sulphur. Some 

 sulphur compound was therefore present as an impurity, which would 

 be decidedly objectionable for anesthetic purposes. 



The vapor of this substance possesses very decided anesthetic 

 properties. This was first accidentally noticed by its effects upon a 

 laborer engaged in cleaning a cistern at a coal-oil manufactory, and 

 afterwards proved by the manufacturer by experiments upon flies and 

 mice. Whether it can be employed without danger as a substitute 

 for ether or chloroform, is as yet undecided. Communicated to Sil- 

 liman's Journal, by F. H. Storer, Esq. 



Turpentine as an Anesthetic. Turpentine as an anaesthetic has 

 been employed by Mr. J. Wilmshurst. It is sprinkled on a handker- 

 chief, and applied to the nostrils. In cases of severe neuralgia, 

 cramp, and slight surgical operations, it has been found to allay irri- 

 tation, and cause a gentle sleep, from which patients awake without 

 headache or any other unpleasant symptom. 



LIQUID DIFFUSION APPLIED TO ANALYSIS. 



In the following article our readers will find a clear and compre- 

 hensive account of the subject of " liquid diffusion," and the recent 

 investigations of Prof. Graham, F. R. S., on the subject. The topic 



17* 



