Scientific IntclUgcricc. — Medical Chcnhslnj. 157 



2. Poisonous confectionary. — M, Bairreal, a chemical agent io 

 the faculty of sciences, examined the nature of the fine green color 

 of the surface of sugar plums manufactured at one of the best con- 

 fectionaries in Paris, and ascertained that ihQ coloring substance was 

 arsenite of copper, or schwanfurth green. In consequence of this 

 enquiry tlie authorities interposed, and it having appeared also tliat 

 the yellow preparations were colored by chro.mate of lead, the sale 

 of these honhons was strictly forbidden. 



Oa the first of January .1329, tlie wife and children of a gentleman 

 in Paris were seized with illness after eating a few bonbons cnWo pate 

 de pistache of a pistachia green color. Dr. Henncl having demand- 

 ed of the confectioner with what substance he colored these articles, 

 was answered with blue and gamboge. On analysis however the 

 coloring matter proved to be indigo and chromate of lead. 



A quantity of the green sugar plums were after the prohibidon in 

 Paris, introduced there from Germany, and i^roved to have been 

 Colored with arsenite of copper. 



It is obvious therefore that parents cannot be too much on their 

 guard against suffering their children to buy and eat these colored su-t 

 gars. The college of health In France has taken measures to pre- 

 vent their prepar,ati6n and sale. — Annales d* Hygiene' pubUque et de 

 Medecine Legale^ J uiUety 1829. 



J ± 



3. Memoir on hydro-cyanic acid, by j\L Orjila. — This valuable 

 memoir commences by remarking tliat tlie medico-legal histor}^ of 

 this very active poison, had not yet obtained the de^red degi'ce of 

 perfection. Neither the manner of detecting its presence when 

 nnngled with the contents of the digestive canal, or with alimcnfary 

 substances, syrups, &c. nor the various symptoms which ensue when 

 it is taken into the system, hot the changes produced by it in the or- 

 gans, have been well defined ; the proper treatment or mode of cure 

 bas been much more successfully laid down. 1st. Characters by 

 which this acid may he recognized. 



Its most distinctive character is smell, which is at first fi-esh then 

 sharp and irritating, very strong, insupportable, and analogous to bit- 

 ter almonds. This odor may be distinctly perceived in a fluid so 

 weak as not be detected by the most sensible reagent. 



The most delicate test is nitrate of silver, which tln'ows down a 

 curdy white precipitate of cyanuret of silver, insoluble in nitric acid 

 at common temperatures, but easily soluble at boiling, and in ammo- 



