Drv Oliver on: the Prussi¢ Acid, 183 
ad been prescribed in Europe, nor have I since seen any 
evidence of such early prescription.* The inclosed cer- 
tificatet will prove that, since 1811, the Prussic acid has 
been prepared in this town, and has also been kept for sale. . 
I believe that many quarts of the article have been sold 
during the last nine years, and prescribed. Ata sale at the 
Chemical Laboratory, not long since, a very considerable 
quantity was found on hand, and sold. oe 
By referring to my common place-book, I find, that it 
to the process of Dr. Schaub (vide Med. Repos. - 
2d, Vol. I. p. 314,) and afforded the racteristic smell, 
and when tested, gave evidence of the presence of the 
Prussic principle. See ere 
ployed it, and contemplates , ting his experimental tesés relative to its 
of which have long 
stances having attracted the attention of Dr. Oliver, were subjected to his 
e i | Inquiries, trial of them in hydropho- 
bia. He proy he P as being readily obtained by a 
ro pistes gs st th pala teas sr 
‘-che ight subserve the purpose of a sub- 
lously observes, that it is sufficiently unpleasant to aoe 
ister poisons re their precise dose is ascertained, but medicines and 
poisons are convertible terms, and differ only in their doses.’? See Murray’s 
Materia Medica. Dr. Thatcher’s Book was printed in 1812—but the cor- 
respondence of the parties was several years antecedent to the publicatign. 
delay in printing 
ee 
* This was 11th July, 1820, when the communication was dated—but a 
of it, has given occasion to an addition of later date. 
Salem as a medicine, antec 
the preparation of it, 
