282 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



of the metal were obtained. The observation that chloroform was decom- 

 posed by the blood, with the production of formic acid, he believed to be 

 new ; and it must be regarded as an important physiological fact of no small 

 practical moment. Three atoms of chlorine leave the formyle to combine 

 with the blood, while three atoms of oxygen are abstracted from the blood, 

 to unite with the formyle in the production of formic acid. Thus the blood 

 is not only deprived of its oxygen, but it is so altered as to bo incapable of 

 absorbing vital air, and the patient dies from asphyxia. 



Such appears to be the probable theory of the cause of death in this case. 

 It becomes us to inquire whether there is not always a partial decomposition of 

 the blood, effected by the inhalation of chloroform, from which, in cases where 

 it is not carried too far, the system recovers ; while a more complete change 

 results in death. There is still much to be done in the chemical and physio- 

 logical investigation of this subject. Dr. Jackson was of the opinion that 

 when chloroform must be administered, it should be largely diluted with 

 ether; but the latter agent alone is a much safer anaesthetic and should 

 always be preferred when it can be obtained ; for no death is as yet known 

 to have been produced by its proper administration mingled with air : wliile 

 chloroform, in spite of all proper precautions in its administration,, l^as 

 destroyed life. 



The chloroform inhaled in this case was found to be perfectly pure. 



GLYCERINE. 



Nature of Glycerine Important to Soap Makers. Dr. H. C. Jennings, of 

 London, has addressed a communication to the Society of Arts, in which he 

 maintains the ground that glycerine was an artificial product, arising from 

 new atomic molecular arrangements, produced by chemical action upon fats, 

 oil, or grease, during saponification, whether acid or alkaline. He states 

 that he some time since " converted one pound of tallow, and on another 

 occasion two pounds of palm oil, into gtycerine, and will engage to do so at 

 any time ; any fatty matter from the animal or vegetable kingdom can be 

 wholly converted into soluble glycerine of course I do not undertake to ope- 

 rate upon 01, Bicini, or a drying oil, such as linseed oil, &c., or rosin oil. I 

 have operated upon glycerine, made by myself, and that sold ; and have con- 

 verted it into retro-glycerine that is to say, a most perfect oil. Suppose two 

 soap makers, or two candle makers, having different processes, A shall pro- 

 duce, through the want of chemical knowledge, 20 per cent, of glycerine, 

 while B, by a better process, only produces 2 or 3 per cent, of glycerine, it 

 will be evident that the amount of stearine, or soap, produced by B will ex- 

 ceed that produced by A. 



"I have tried every means of ascertaining if there exists any affinity 

 between pure glycerine and pure stearine and oleine, and find none to exist ; 

 in fact, a more absolute chemical revulsion of the atoms of these substances 

 cannot be imagined." 



Glycerine Dressings. The value of glycerine surgical dressings is only 

 beginning to be appreciated. Its antiseptic power renders it highly valuable 

 in all ulcers which have a tendency to gangrene ; while the favorable influ- 



