Natural TUitory, 419- 



being soon exhausted, no further supply could be obtained from 

 thence, and I undertook to make it myself, which I have now 

 several times accomplished, according to the process of Scheele, 

 recorded in Cooper's edition of Thomsons Chemistry, Vol. II. 

 p. 224, Sfc. ; observing this difference, that instead of distilling 

 one-fourth of the whole quantity of water used, I permitted but 

 one-sixth to pass over into the receiver. This process is some- 

 what tedious and complicated, but with the requisite chemical 

 knowledge, and suitable apparatus, it may be conducted with 

 accuracy and success. Thus much for the mode of supply. 

 As to the nature of this substance, it is a most virulent poison, 

 and in this respect you will recognise its analogy to some of 

 our most effectual remedies. It would therefore require to be 

 carefully kept from common handling, and also from the action 

 of light, which is said to decompose it. The same result ensues 

 from long keeping ; for then it exhibits a darkish blue. On its 

 poisonous qualities, the symptoms, ^c, consult Orfila on Poisons, 

 a valuable work lately translated and published in Philadelphia. 

 An adult, in using it, should commence with three drops of 

 the acid, diluted with as many ounces of water and taken iu 

 the course of twenty-four hours ; a gradual increase may be 

 made to eight or ten drops, which is the largest dose that has 

 yet been used in this place. Our experience here is not more 

 than of two months' standing, and during that time Dr. Davis 

 has prescribed the acid in eight or nine cases, all of Avhich, as 

 yet, ('with the exception of one,) have been greatly benefited. 

 The unfortunate case was that in which it was first used, and 

 was almost hopeless at the time ; but even in this, the dis- 

 tressing cough, copious expectoration, and wasting hectics were 

 for weeks kept at bay, and the patient so much re-animated as to 

 induce a hope of recovery'; but this finally proved delusive. At 

 any rate, however, it was the best palliative that had been used, 

 and greatly abated the sufferings of dissolving nature. From the 

 other cases it may probably be inferred that, in proportion to the 

 recent occurrence of the disease, has been the apparent benefit ; 

 and in no one case has the remedy produced injurious conse- 

 quences. After some continuance, it appears to affect the 

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