tsoith Sulphurous Acid, 8fc. SI 



sulphate of turpentine had a beneficial influence in the case 

 of an obstinate tetter. 



Possibly the presence of sulphurous acid may increase the 

 power of oil of turpentine as an anthelmintic. 



Pieces of corned meat hung up, after being bathed with an 

 alcoholic solution of the sulphurous sulphated oil of turpen- 

 tine, or with solutions of the sulphated oils of cloves or cin- 

 namon, remained free from putridity at the end of several 

 months. That imbued with cinnamon had a slight odour and 

 taste of the oil. 



I am led, therefore, to the impression that the antiseptic 

 power is not peculiar to kreosote, but belongs to other acrid 

 oils and principles, and especially to the oils of cinnamon and 

 cloves. 



The union of sulphuric acid with these oils appears to ren- 

 der them more soluble in water : whether any important 

 change is effected in their medical qualities by the presence 

 of the acid may be a question worthy of attention. 

 ' I have stated my reasons for considering the ammoniacal 

 liquid, resulting from the ablution of the aethereal sulphurous 

 sulphate of aetherine with ammonia, as partially composed of 

 hyposulphuric acid. By adding to this ammoniacal liquid a 

 quantity of sulphuric acid, sufficient to produce a strong 

 odour of sulphurous acid, and then a portion of any of the 

 essential oils ; a combination ensued, as already described, 

 between the oils and the sulphurous acid liberated by the sul- 

 phuric acid, so as to render them yellow and suffocating. 

 The habitudes of cinnamon oil from cassia under these cir- 

 cumstances were peculiar. A quantity of it was dissolved, 

 communicating to the liquid a reddish hue. The solution 

 being evaporated, a gummy translucent reddish mass was 

 obtained, which, by solution in alcohol, precipitated a quan- 

 tity of salt, and being boiled nearly to dryness, redissolved 

 in water and again evaporated, was resolved into a mass 

 having the friability, consistency, and translucency of common 

 rosin ; but with a higher and more lively reddish colour. Its 

 odour recalls, but faintly, that of cinnamon ; its taste is bitter 

 and disagreeable, yet recalling that of the oil from which it 

 is derived. Its aqueous solution does not redden litmus ; nor, 

 when acidulated with nitric acid, does it yield a precipitate 

 with nitrate of barytes. 



Of this substance ten grains were exposed to the process 

 above mentioned, for the detection of sulphuric acid, and 

 were found to yield a precipitate of Q'6 grains of sulphate of 

 barytes. 



It may be worth while to mention, that in boiling the sul- 



