SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 563 
results in the treatment of many diseases, such as tetanus, delirium tremens, 
asthma, epilepsy, hysteria, infantile convulsions, &c. 
Flame-proof or Non-Inflammable Fabrics. — The frequency of accidental 
death by burning, more especially since crinolines have been in fashion, 
has given rise to experiments in this country and in France to determine 
the best means of rendering dresses flame-proof. The most recent re- 
searches are by Wester-man and Oppenheim, which show that solutions of 
the salts of sulphate of ammonia, phosphate of ammonia, and tungstate of 
soda, are those that can be used with greatest facility. For rendering- 
tissues uninflammable these salts combine the conditions of cheapness, and 
harmlessness to the gloss, colour, and structure of the tissue. The solution 
may be used in the proportion of one-third the weight of starch, or from 
15 to 20 per cent of water. The tungstate of soda appears to have the 
advantage of the two other preparations, for with starch it forms a better 
stiffening-, and is less liable to be decomposed by the smoothing iron. 
Permanganate of Potash as a Deodoriser. — It cannot be too well known 
that the permanganate of potash is one of the best disinfecting and deodo- 
rizing liquids in use. Half a drachm to eight ounces of distilled water 
are the proportions in which it may be used. It is far superior to any of 
the chlorine preparations — not so transient in its effects. Suppurating 
sores, offensive discharges from wounds, ulcers, &c., the removal of bad 
smells from the nose, breath, and feet, or from carious teeth, and for post- 
mortem examinations, &c., are some of the more prominent uses to which 
this solution has been recently applied. 
A New Disinfectant. — Charcoal, which has been long known for its 
antiseptic properties, is now ingeniously used in the form of charcoal 
paper, or charcoal lint. The carboniferous paper may be applied to 
ulcerated surfaces, to absorb and at the same time deodorize the liquid dis- 
charges, thus preventing the bed from being soiled. The carboniferous 
paper may be applied to indolent ulcers with good effect. Messrs. Maw & 
Sons, in London, are agents for the French inventors of this novel pre- 
paration of charcoal. 
The Ergot of Wheat. — The ergot of wheat may be used as a substitute 
for the ergot of rye, and possesses some advantages over it. M. Laperdriel, 
of the College of Pharmacy of Montpellier, has read a paper on this subject, 
in which he points out the fact that ergot of wheat has all the medicinal 
properties of the ergot of rye, with the advantage of resisting decay 
and moisture, hence may be preserved a long time. The ergot of rye is 
well known to be easily damaged by damp air, and is soon destroyed by 
mites. 
Galvanism as a Remedial Agent. — Mr. Harry Lobb, surgeon to the 
London Galvanic Hospital, read a paper before the Harveian Society on 
the uses and value of galvanism and electricity in general practice. As 
a therapeutic agent, galvanism promises some good results, although they 
are not yet fully recognized in the profession, but which Mr. Lobb 
has full confidence will at no distant period be as familiar to every 
well-educated practitioner in the treatment of disease, as is now the 
administration of drugs. The judicious administration of galvanism has 
YOL. II. — NO. VIII. 2 Q 
