NOTES AND ABSTRACTS IN CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY. 
31 
handily used as spray. Thus, in treating the roof of the mouth for carious bone, 
or in plugging a bleeding alveolar cavity after extraction of a tooth, the spray 
is excellent. We begin in such a case by applying the spray direct to the bleed¬ 
ing surface, and when a layer of deposit is formed we use that as a foundation 
for a thin layer of cotton wool ready saturated in the solution. Then we re- 
apply the spray, and again cotton, until the whole operation is complete. 
After a fresh wound has been once dressed with this solution, it requires but 
little further treatment. In the case of small wounds they may be safely left 
with one dressing. Jn process of cure the dressing will slowly be thrown off in 
the form of thick scale, and ligatures will also spontaneously come away. Even 
when the wound is very large, as after amputation, it is not desirable to try to 
open the wound unless there be systemic symptoms. In such case, in order to 
remove the dressing without pain, the bandage, if it be adherent, must be 
sponged at the adherent parts with a mixture of alcohol and ether, or with 
alcohol and water; this will set everything at liberty with ease arid cleanliness. 
Water alone must on no account be used, neither hot nor cold. 
Dr. Richardson cites a number of interesting cases to show the value and 
efficacy of this new remedial agent. He has employed it in amputations, in the 
treatment of open ulcers, cancer, necrosis, and obstinate haemorrhage w r ith singu¬ 
lar success. He has also tried various combinations of the simple fluid with 
other substances, of which he gives the following account:—• 
Creasote .—With the old creasote of the shops the fluid forms an excellent 
compound. The creasote acts well as an additional antiseptic, and also as a 
solidifier of albumen. It produces, however, some degree of irritation. The 
proportion is one minim of creasote to two drachms of solution. 
Carbolic Acid .—With pure carbolic acid the fluid also combines. The com¬ 
pound so produced possesses the same properties as the mixture of creasote and 
the styptic. Five grains of the acid may be added to two drachms of the fluid. 
The combination is very powerful, but it produces some irritation. 
Quina .—The pure alkaloid quina dissolves in the styptic fluid, and forms a good 
solution in the proportion of one grain to the drachm. The quina adds to the 
antiseptic power, but, I think, takes away from the adhesive property. Pro¬ 
portion, half a grain to a drachm. 
Iodine .—Iodine unites readily with the fluid, and five, or even seven, grains 
of it may be got into the quarter-ounce.- The combination is most useful in 
cases where there is purulent or fetid discharge from a surface surrounded with 
indurated tissue. The iodine produces no irritation. 
Iodide of Cadmium .—Iodide of potassium and iodide of ammonium do not 
readily combine with the styptic ; but iodide of cadmium, which possesses a 
similar physiological action, goes up in it readily. Half a drachm of the salt 
will go up in an ounce of the solution. 
Bichloride of Mercury .—The bichloride of mercury is soluble in the solution, 
and the compound, in the proportion of the one-twentieth of a grain to one 
drachm of the styptic, is a most useful application in indolent syphilitic ulcers. 
I think this application would also be useful in lupus. 
Morphia .—Morphia goes up well in the solution, and in irritable painful 
ulcer a compound of morphia and the styptic, in proportion of half a grain of 
the alkaloid to a drachm of the fluid, is of service. Pain is at once relieved, and 
healing is promoted. This compound on cotton would be good for a stopping 
of a hollow tooth to relieve toothache. 
All the other narcotic alkaloids in their pure form go up in the solution— 
atropia, aconitina, and the rest. I have, however, no experience as to the value 
of such combinations in practice. This experience has yet to be learned. 
Cantharidirie .—This substance, on the addition of a little chloroform, can be 
taken up in the solution. The compound produces what may almost be called 
