Miscellanies. . 149 



MISCELLANIES. 



(foreign and domestic.) 



JYotices Translated and Extracted by Prof. Grisconi. 



CHEMISTRY. 



1. Chloride of lime. — Disinfection of the dead bodies collected 

 at the Morgue in Paris, after the revolutionary struggle in July^ 

 1830. — A letter from A. Chevalier to M. D'Arcet informs the latter, 

 that the writer in passing near the Morgue on the 30th, was forcibly 

 struck with the putrid exhalations which issued from it, and which were 

 very perceptible as far as the pent St. Michel. Fearing unpleasant 

 consequences to the whole neighborhood, he sent one of his pupils 

 immediately to the directors of the Morgue, to offer them gratuitously, 

 the use of as much chloride of lime as might be requisite to arrest 

 the infection, which being accepted, and learning that they were about 

 to remove immediately two hundred dead bodies that were heaped 

 up in the Morgue, he proceeded, though without authority, to the 

 place, prepared a large quantity of liquid chloride, and sprinkled it 

 over the bodies, which, as they were moved, exhaled the most fetid 

 odor. He persuaded the poor men who were employed in the work, 

 though with some difficulty, to wash their hands in the liquid every 

 time they handled the bodies. These, as they were taken to the, 

 boat, were well sprinkled, and portions of the dry powdered chloride 

 were scattered in every place where it appeared necessary. 



The bodies when heaped in the boat were covered with straw, 

 over which was dien spread powdered chloride, on which water was 

 sprinkled. These precautions, notwithstanding the mass of putrefy- 

 ing- materials, completely overcame the exhalations, or gave way to 

 those of the chloride. 



The Morgue was well washed, first with pure water, then widi so- 

 lution of chloride of lime, and afterwards fumigated. The quantity 

 of chloride of lime used in these operations, was from thirty to thir- 

 ty five pounds. — Jour, de Connois. Usuelles, Sejjt. 1830. 



2. Cement for uniting fragments of vessels and other objects. — 

 Add to an ounce of mastich, in tears, well rectified spirit of wine, in 

 sufficient quantity to dissolve it^ Steep an ounce of isinglass in water 

 until it is very soft ; dissolve it in pure rum or brandy until it forms 

 a strong jelly Then add a quarter of an ounce of gum ammoniac 



