447 
CARBOLIC ACID IN SKIN DISEASES. 
There are few agents which are more useful for the destruc- 
tion of epizoa , or more beneficial in numerous eruptive skin 
affections, than carbolic acid. A want of caution in its use, 
however, has led to several serious results, particularly when 
applied to the skin of the dog. Great care is always necessary 
in properly incorporating the acid with its diluting agent. 
It mixes better with a solution of soap than anything else — 
one part of the acid to fifty of the soap solution being suffi- 
cient. The mixture should also be well shaken for some time 
before being applied, that any separation of the acid which 
may have taken place may be guarded against. We have 
known dogs to be quickly killed by carbolic acid applications 
to the skin when these precautions have been neglected. 
Facts and Observations. 
New Work on Chemistry for Medical Students. 
— Most, if not all, chemical works written by English authors 
are deficient in the application of chemistry to the healing 
art, or in the connection which exists between chemistry 
and the other sciences upon which rational medicine 
is based. The medical student, certainly in utilitarian 
England, wishes to know of what use a knowledge of che- 
mistry is to be to him in his profession ; but owing to the 
thoroughly abstract manner in which most chemical writers 
and teachers treat their subject, this very natural desire is 
only slowly and partially satisfied. Consequently, there is 
engendered among the pupils at our medical schools an 
indifference to, if not a positive distaste for, a branch of 
knowledge to which is justly attached the highest importance 
by all save those who are ignorant of its truths and the 
services it may render, or by those practitioners of medicine 
who prefer empiricism to the teachings of experiment, ob- 
servation, and reason. 
M. Alfred Riche, Professeur agrege a VEcole Superieure 
de P liar made de Paris , Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, 
&c., has recently published a ‘ Manuel de Chimie Medicale 
et Pharmaceutique,’ which appears to be well calculated to 
excite the interest of medical students by the examples 
frequently given of the applications of chemistry to phy- 
siology, pathology, biology, and pharmacy. At all events 
