19& Miscellanies. 



to deposit its contents, und which, at the same time, may possess is. 

 deep black color, not liable to fade, the galls should be macerated for 

 some hours in hot water, and the fluid be liltered ; it should then be 

 exposed, for about sixteen days, to a warm atmosphere, when any 

 mould that may have been produced must be removed. A solution of 

 sulphate of iron must be employed, which has also been exposed for 

 some time to the atmosphere, and which, consequently, contains a cer- 

 tain quantity of the red oxide of iron diffused through it. I should 

 recommend the infusion of galls to be made of considerably greater 

 strength, than is generally directed ; and I believe that an ink, formed 

 in this manner, will not necessarily require the addition of any mu- 

 cilaginous substance to render it of a proper consistence. 



I have only farther to add, that or^e of the best substances for dilu- 

 ting ink, if it be, in the first instance, too thick for use, or afterwards 

 becomes so by evaporation, is a strong decoction of coffee, which ap- 

 pears, in no respect, to promote the decomposition of the ink, while 

 it improves its color, and gives it an additional lustre. — Jamesoii's 

 Journal, Oct. 1830. 



MEDICAL CHEMISTRY. 



1. Tincture of Iodine.* — Dr. Joerg, professor of obstetrics at Leip- 

 sic, has formed a society for the purpose of determining the proper- 

 ties of some of the most useful and active medicaments by an actual 

 trial of them by the members themselves. The following is the re- 

 sult with regard to iodine. 



"The positive effect of the tincture of iodine consists in an excite- 

 ment of the whole alimentary canal ; it appears to act upon the parie- 

 ties of the intestines like a good concentrated salivary and pancreated 

 fluid. Hence, with persons in health there is a saline taste in the 

 mouth ; an augmentation of salinary secretion ; thus, increase of ap- 

 petite, sensible motion of the intestines, slight pains, evacuation of 

 wind and fecal matters. But this excitement is transmitted also to 

 the brain, as happens with most substances which increase the activ- 

 ity of the intestinal canal ; producing heaviness and pain in the head, 

 felt sometimes in one place and sometimes in another. Iodine in- 

 creases no less the afflux of blood to the tracheal artery and the lungs, 

 and places those organs in a condition approaching to phlogosis, or, 

 actually inflames them. This irritation seems to extend to the internal 

 membrane of the nose, since the mucous secretion is increased as well 

 as the bronchial. As iodine acts so energetically upon the digestive 

 tube, it must aftect equally the genito-urinary apparatus when admin- 



* R. Iodine, 48 grains ; pure alcohol, one ounce. Agitate until the iodine is en- 

 tirely dissolved. Ten drops of ihis tincture contains one grain of iodine. 



