SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
269 
can be prepared, but that great care is requisite to prevent a reduction of 
the chromic acid taking place ; quinine and brucine combine in two pro- 
portions with chromic acid, but cinchonine, quinidine, and strychnine 
form only one compound, for on adding a solution of neutral chromate of 
potash to a solution of a salt of one of these bases, a portion of the base 
was precipitated from the solution, and the neutral chromate of the base 
was found in the filtrate. 
The formation of organic compounds by synthesis is highly interesting, 
inasmuch as it is a great onward step to the investigation of the processes 
by which these bodies are naturally formed. The number of such trans- 
formations is rapidly increasing, and no doubt eventually some light will 
be thrown on the changes that occur during the growth of animals 
and vegetables, and the formation of the complex and varied organic 
bodies found in their different parts. The formation of acetylene by the 
passage of an electric spark between two charcoal points, placed in an 
atmosphere of hydrogen, is of great interest, inasmuch as it is formed by 
the synthesis of its elements without the pre-existence of an organic body ; 
and starting from this substance a whole series of organic bodies may be 
formed by further synthesis, as has been shown by Berthelot, who made 
the discovery of the synthesis of acetylene. 
An interesting communication by Mr. E. Dancer has been read before 
the Chemical Society, “ On Hypobromous Acid,” in which the author has 
demonstrated, by most conclusive experiments, the chemical properties of 
this body. He did not succeed in preparing hypobromous anhydride, but 
found that the hydrated acid could be produced by the action of bromine 
water upon the red oxide of mercury, similarly to hypochlorous acid, to 
which it had a great analogy, possessing also powerful bleaching properties. 
This body was also formed by the action of bromine upon nitrate of silver, 
as had been previously shown by Mr. Spiller. It was impossible to prepare 
a more concentrated solution than that containing six per cent. : partial 
decomposition ensued on distillation at ordinary pressures, but by the aid 
of the air-pump this could be prevented. With dilute solutions of the 
caustic alkalies, bromine gave rise to the production of bleaching solutions, 
containing soluble liypobromites, but with concentrated solutions bromates 
and bromides were formed. 
The General Medical Council, after some deliberation, have resolved to 
leave the grain weight unaltered, and to retain the avoirdupois pound and 
ounce, but to discontinue the use of the drachm and scruple in the Phar- 
macopoeia. The confusion occasioned by the introduction of new weights, 
and the difficulty of adapting old formukc to a new system, are objections 
to a change in the standard weights ; but considering the numbers of dif- 
ferent systems of weights and measures now existing, the introduction of 
a decimal notation would afford an immense simplification, and possibly 
prevent many mistakes. 
Dr. Sheridan Muspratt has recently made analyses of the waters of 
the mineral springs of Scarborough, from which it would appear that there 
has been some mistake as to the comparative medicinal properties of the 
north and south springs, the north spring being richer in magnesian salts, 
but containing less iron than the south. 
