71 



SCIENTIFIC NOTES. 



PETROLEIJiM IN BUY EOT. 



According to Herbst, petroleum may be applied with excellent advan- 

 tage in the extirpation of the dry rot, it being- only necessary to paint 

 the surface of wood thus affected with the petroleum. A solution of 

 carbolic acid, however, answers the same purjjose and involves much 

 less danger from fire. 



HARD CEMENT. 



A cement which becomes excessively hard in time may be prepared 

 by mixing 2 parts of silica, 1 part of silicate of alumina, and 9 or 10 parts 

 of carbonate of lime, all in powder, and then roasting iii a puddling 

 furnace. The remaining mass is then to be ground and again roasted 

 with 2 or 3 parts of carbonate of baryta. In practice, very pure sand 

 will answer for the silica and chalk tor the carbonate of lime, the re- 

 maining .ingredient being supplied by mineral witherite or natural car- 

 bonate of baryta. 



CHLORALUIVI. 



The new antiseptic commended by Professor Gram gee, and known as 

 chloralum bids fair to be of much value in its applications in domestic 

 economy and in medicine. The advantages claimed are the possession 

 of antiseptic qualities equal to those of any other substance; while used 

 in moderation it is entirely free from smell, from unpleasant fumes, has 

 no disagreeable taste, and is without any irritant or poisoning qual- 

 ities. According to Professor Gamgee, by its use as an antisi|)tic, raw- 

 hide, meat, and other animal substances, immersed in a solution of 1.030 

 to 1.010, specific gravity', will be preserved ijerfectly for an indefinite 

 lieriod of time, and what is still more to the purpose, will not be attacked 

 by insects after being removed from the solution. Fisli, slightly tainted, 

 when immersed recovers its freshness of appearance and becomes firm 

 and palatable. In some instances fresh fish, such as salmon, when 

 caught were dipped in the solution, and after a passage of several days, 

 without ice, to London, in the summer season, were found to be entirely 

 eatable. This substance is suggested as an aid in drying cod on the 

 coast of Newfoundland and elsewhere, as thereby an immense mass of 

 fish that are now rejected could be readily preserved. The offal of cod 

 and mackerel fisheries which is now thrown overboard, could be pre- 

 served by this substance as long as might be required, and then carried 

 on shore to be converted into one or other of the various forms of fish 

 guano. 



For disinfecting purposes a solution varying from 1,006 to 1.010 is 

 sufficiently strong to answer the desired object, stronger solutions being 

 usually unnecessary and imparting a disagreeable smell. The solid 

 matter of sewage is said to be precipitated more rapidly by this sub- 

 stance than by the use of the jiersalt of iron, and the odor disappears 

 entirely. The use of chloralum in any epidemic, the cattle plague or 

 other contagious disease, including the epizootics, is indicated by the 

 author of the communication. Finally, it is recommended for the treat- 

 ment of wounds, erysipelas, gangrene, and various contagious and in- 

 flammatory diseases. It may also be used for the purpose of immersing 

 the linen of patients before removing it from the sick ciiamber. For the 

 purification of water-closets it is said to have no equal in any of the 

 preparations hitherto recommended, and has also the advantage over 

 nearly all the rest of being free from any offensive odor. 



