348 On Chinese Mercurial Preparations. [May, 
For the preparation of another oxide of quicksilver, the following 
was the process observed. ‘The ingredients were— 
Sulphate of alumina ......0.......+. 1240 gr. 
Sulphate of iron 2)... ceeccecccscces  :ORU 
Nitrate of potash ...........22-..-+ 1860 
White oxide of arsenic ....%....+2-:5- 310 
CUGRCLSTINGE =| 'a/2 xp0 = a'0's.sieeue «eal siete en ee 
This also was mixed and fused in the same kind of cast-iron 
yessel, and the arsenic added after all the other ingredients, when a 
glazed porcelain bowl was inverted over the tatch. The operator 
then covering his mouth and nostrils with a cloth, proceeded, as in 
the last process, to heap the discoloured gypsum round the sides 
and upon the top of the bow!, over which he placed a brick. The 
peculiar smell of the arsenical fumes soon became very perceptible 
and offensive, and continued so during a quarter of an hour. After 
keeping upa pretty strong charcoal fire during two or three hours, 
he allowed it to burn out; and, when every thing had cooled, re- 
verted the bowl, of which the bottom part was lined with a. red 
oxide; the rest and rims with a whitish one (in this instance the 
whole product was expected to have been of ared colour). When 
collected, the oxide weighed 360 gr. Jn both the last processes 
the operator preserved the residua, as, powdered or dissolved in 
water, they are considered to be useful preparations in the treatment 
of cutaneous disorders. 
I have reason to conclude that, in addition to the preparations 
specified, the Chinese have the red oxide of quicksilver. 
There is another of their mercurial preparations, the only oxide, 
as far as 1 can learn, which they ever think of administering inter- 
nally, and which I believe to be a very general and useful instru- 
ment of their medical practice ; but respecting the process by which 
it is prepared, [ cannot at present obtain accurate information, as it 
is said to be properly made in the province of Fo-kien only, whence - 
it comes in small boxes wrapped up in a printed paper.* It is in 
fine flakes, of a pearly-white colour, and must, I think, have been 
the preparation which Dr. Black considered to be an oxalate of 
quicksilver. I have no reason to think that the Chinese can have 
any acquaintance with the oxalic acid; and they assure me that 
neither the acetic nor citric are employed in the process. Of the 
agency of the mineral acids in their processes, or even their exist- 
ence in an uncombined state, I believe them to be perfectly igno- 
rant. What calomel is in European practice, I conceive the prepa- 
ration in question to be in theirs, although they pretend to say that 
its internal use is dangerous, whilst externally, to ulcers and cuta- 
* The paper announces the maker’s name, adding that he manufactures three 
preparations (the muriate and nitrate of quicksilver, aud the oxide in question) of 
a superior quality to any other. 
