262 M. Boussingault's [Oct. 



emetic. It was reasonable to expect that this salt would 

 possess the emetic properties of tartar-emetic ; and, upon 

 giving it to a patient in the same dose, and in the same way 

 as tartar-emetic is given, I found that it operated precisely 

 in the same way as tartar-emetic. Upon substituting it for 

 tartar-emetic, in the Glasgow Infirmary, no difference what- 

 ever in its action could be observed. It might, therefore, 

 be used, if any such substitutions should ever become neces- 

 sary, in place of tartaric acid, in the preparation of this 

 useful salt. 



When heated over a lamp it blackened and burned like 

 tinder, giving out a little yellow smoke. On analyzing it 

 in the usual way, I found its constituents to be, 



2 atoms racemic acid .... 16*5 



1 atom potash 6*0 



2 atoms protoxide of antimony 18*0 



3 atoms water 3*375 



43-875 

 The quantity of water which I found in an old analysis of 

 tartar-emetic, was only two atoms. But Mr. R. Phillips 

 assures us that he found that salt to contain three atoms of 

 water. If this be the true constitution of tartar-emetic, it 

 coincides exactly, in its composition, with potash-racemate 

 of antimony. 



Article II. 



Ascent of Chimhorazo on the YQth December, 1831. 

 By M. BoussiNGAULT. ( Continued from p. 45. J 



After resting a few moments we found ourselves refreshed 

 from fatigue. None of us had experienced any of the acci- 

 dents which so frequently happen to persons when climbing 

 high mountains. Three quarters of an hour after our arrival, 

 my pulse, and that of Colonel Hall, beat 106 pulsations in 

 a minute. We were thirsty, and were obviously labouring 

 under slight febrile action, but this state was not painful. 

 My friend was extremely cheerful ; he continued to say 

 many agreeable things while he was busily occupied in 

 slietching what he called the i/e// o/ /ce, which surrounded 



