Medical Chemistry. 93 
the process of Scheele and my assistants have been much 
incommoded with vertigo, nausea and even swooning.* 
Dr. Magendie gives the following formulas for the exhi- 
bition of the acid. 
Pectoral Mixture. 
R. Prussic acid medicinal, - - i drachm, 
Distilled Lieil - - - 1 pound, 
Pure sugar, 1 4 ounce, 
F.S.L. Take one alle Senntilal in the morning and: 
one in the evening when going to bed. 
Pectoral Potion. 
_R. Infusion of ground ivy, - - 1 drachm, 
Prussic acid, (medicinal) - - 15 drops, 
Syrup of marsh mallow, - - 1 ounce, 
F. 8S. L. Take a potion by spoonfulls, once in three 
hours. 
Sirup cyanque, or Prussic Syrup. 
R. Syrup of sugar, perfectly clarified, 1 pound, 
Prussic acid, (medicinal) - - 1 drachm, 
Mix them exactly. 
This syrup is used to add to the pectoral potions and as 
a substitute for the other syrups. 
f have procured for the use of medical friends, directly 
from Dr. Magendie several vials of Prussic acid, such as he 
* A bottle containing probably an ounce of the prussic acid of Scheele 
being accidentally knocked from the table, in my laboratory and broken, 
the vapour exhaled (although the liquid was instantly covered with ashes 
and swept into the fire) affected me powerfully, and particularly at night my 
muscular and intellectual powers seemed almost prostrated ; an assistant 
was ill in the evening and inasimilar manner: the next morning he swoon- 
ed on rising from bed and fell upon the floor—he remained very feeble al- 
though without pain for several days, but gradually recovered by using mild 
stim valants ; (aqua ammonie, wine, &c.) his pulse was very feeble and 
smiail, and his nervous and muscular powers very greatly enfeebled. 
As it appears to be one of the great prerogatives of the prussic acid to 
prostrate muscular and nervous energy, it may “be asked whether in case of 
hirnea and luxations it might not be useful in overcoming the muscular re- 
sistance which often opposes their reduction, and, w hether it may not un- 
lock the fatal rigors of spasm even in tetanus itself? 
