396 Sckntific Notices'-'MiseeUaneous. [May, 



should weigh each about 16 grs. As the lozenges are liable to 

 attract moisture, they should be kept in well-closed bottles. 



Bicarbonate of soda is used in preference to the carbonate, 

 as less alkaline, and disgusting to the palate, and incapable of 

 injuring the stomach, which the more caustic salt might, per- 

 haps, do. 



In proof of the perfect innocence of these lozenges, M. d'Arcet 

 states that the workmen, who pound and sift the carbonate of 

 soda in a manufactory, where it is extracted from the rough 

 material, and where nearly a ton of the salt is producedper diem, 

 suffer no injury whatever from it, though, according to his cal- 

 culation, they must swallow daily, from the fine powder floating 

 in the air of the workshop, at least as much alkali as would be 

 equivalent to 200 lozenges, and one-third of itin the state of car- 

 bonate of soda. On inquiring of some of them, who had followed 

 the business for six or seven years, whether they experienced any 

 ill effects from the nature of their employment, they replied, no 

 other than that they were souner hungry and more hungry than 

 the workmen in the other parts of the manufactory, who were 

 ■not exposed to the fine alkaline dust ; they said also that their 

 habit was generally rather constipated than relaxed, but that 

 they felt no consequent inconvenience. 



M. d'Arcet concludes his note as follows : — " I am persuaded 

 that the alkaline lozenges, prepared with the bicarbonate of 

 soda, are preferable to magnesia lozenges, and the absorbent 

 powders, which have been long employed to neutralize acidity 

 in the stomach ; and I hope that their use will procure relief to 

 those numerous persons who, laborious from duty or inclination, 

 allow too short an interval between their meals and studies, and 

 thus impair the functions of the stomach, and too often accele- 

 rate the ruin of their health, and consequently that of their moral 

 faculties." — (Annales de Chimie.) 



Note. — The proportion of alkali to the sugar in the above 

 prescription appears very small; it may probably be much in- 

 creased with advantage ; as to the quantity of essential oil, it 

 may be increased or diminished, according to the palate of the 

 patient. It may not be useless to observe, that the bicarbonate 

 and carbonate of soda of chemists answer, respectively, to the 

 carbonate and sub-carbonate of the English Pharmacopoeias. — 

 Ed. 



