» oe 
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sy a bs 
184 Miscellanies. 
acid gas itself.* We are glad to observe that genuine sulptaene 
waters have been discovered in this region of Saratoga and Ballst 
The indications of sulpureous waters stated by Dr. Steel are une ive 
ocal, and very different from those which are often ignorantly assu- 
med to establish the same point. A fetid impregnation, arising from 
decomposing organic matter, may produce an offensive water, but 
will not give a true impregnation of sulphuretted hydrogen. Wi 
have tried some of these, so called, sulphureous waters, © ad whil 
they were somewhat fetid, they produced no tarnish in the most ¢ 
cate metallic solutions, such as those of bismuth, silver and lead. W oo 
can with pleasure recommed Dr. Steel’s little volume, as a valuable 
acquisition to this department of local knowledge. There can be m 
doubt it mast speedily pass to another edition, and although we 
a great distaste for petty criticism, were we at the Doctor’s ¢ 
when he blots a copy of this edition that it may appear improved 10 
another, we should venture to suggest a few hints, especially inthe — 
literary department of the work. Se 
11. Essays on some of the most important articles of the J ae 
Medica,—with an account of the new proximate principles, Ges Gos 
by George W. Carpenter.—Mr. Carpenter has been, for some years 
well known as an active, ingenious, and successful pharmaceutist qi and 
the public have been not a little indebted to him for his zeal and tact 
in bringing forward discoveries and improvements, (not unfrequenty 
his own) in the materia medica. Many of his valuable papers have 
appeared in this journal ; and in its:pages, and in those of the medical 
journals of Philadelphia, some prominent parts of the present W"" 
may be found. There is however an important advantage in bring 
these papers, (embodied also with the important additions whieh # 
relation to other subjects, have been made, in the present volumes) ” 
a portable, compact and cheap form, that they may be easily acce* 
sible to the practitioner. We can say, with the editor of the 
National Gazette, “ that we closed this volume with the impress” 
that it must be serviceable in every family, and may fix and 1 
ward the attention of any inquirer. The improvements sige 
have been made in the preparation and exhibition of many 
a 
* The explosion of a sulphureous water at Ballston, by which the peeuliaiy 
the water was destroyed and a sulphureous smell diffused to a considerable dis a 
- around, would seem to imply that some of the gases of sulphur are oc¢ jonal'y 
cerned in generating the power. 
