200 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



B' 



injurious effects which result from the introduction of chlorine 

 into the lungs are well known, and as the preparation of this 

 substance for its application in certain manufactures is very 

 extensive, workmen are not uncommonly suffering in consequence 

 of its inhalation. The advantageous use of ammonia is well 

 known in these cases, the vapour of it being inhaled, or a little 

 of it on sugar being taken into the mouth. It does not, however, 

 except where the effect produced by the chlorine has been slight, 

 give full relief, probably from the formation of a portion of 

 azotane, which is itself very injurious to the lungs ; but M. 

 Kostner recommends that at the same time the vapour of alcohol 

 should be breathed, which will in an instant dissipate every 

 prejudicial action. The spirit of wine is to be dropped on to 

 sugar, and held in the mouth. In this way he has made use of 

 it for two years with constant success. — Gior. di Fisica. viii. 14G. 



18. Employment of Caustic to destroy the Variolous Eruption.— 

 M. Velpeau read a memoir to the Royal Academy of Medicine, 

 tending to prove that if the pustules of the small pox are cau- 

 terized within the two first days of their appearance, they die 

 away entirely ; and if this be done even later, their duration is 

 abridged, and no traces of them are left. The caustic he em- 

 ploys is a solution of nitrate of silver, in which he dips a probe, 

 with which he pierces the centre of each pustule. M. Dumerel 

 says that he has been long familiar with this practice, but 

 instead of the solution he employed the solid caustic itself. (Ar- 

 chives Generates.) — Med. Jour., liv. 170. 



19. Preservation of Anatomical Preparations. — M. Braconnet of 

 Nancy has applied the persulphate of iron, in consequence of its 

 astringent and antiseptic properties, to the preservation of anato- 

 mical preparations, &c. It is very cheap, and combines, with the 

 greatest facility, with all the humours and soft tissues of animals, 

 and preserves them both from putrefaction and insects. A brain 

 which had been plunged for three months in a solution of this 

 salt, being put into a warm place, required a considerable time to 

 dry it, but without shewing the least sign of putridity ; placed 

 afterwards in water, it was still preserved for some time, but did 

 not recover its pristine softness. Portions of the liver, spleen, 

 lungs, and muscle placed in this salt, have equally resisted destruc- 

 tion. — Archives Generates, June. 



Dr. Macartney, of the Dublin University, covers his prepara- 

 tion jars with a thin plate of Indian rubber, which is afterwards 

 varnished. This is found to be very superior to lead or bladder, 

 retains alcohol when used very perfectly, and adapts itself readily 

 to the variations of volume in the contents of the jar, from differ- 

 ences of temperature. 



