47 
MISCELLANEA. 
Pyrethrum Roseum, a Remedy for Insect-bite3. —A well-known German 
traveller, F. Jager, in his ‘ Sketches of Travels in Singapore, Malacca, Java’ (Berlin, 18G6), 
describes the powder of the Pyrethrum roseum as a specific against all noxious insects, 
including the troublesome mosquitoes and those which attack collections. He says, 
“ A tincture prepared by macerating one part of the Pyrethrum roseum in four parts of 
dilute alcohol, and, when diluted with ten times its bulk of water, applied to any part 
of the body, gives perfect security against all vermin. I often passed the night in my 
boat on the ill-reputed rivers of Siam without any other cover, even without the netting, 
and experienced not the slightest inconvenience. The ‘ buzzing,’ at other times so great 
a disturber of sleep, becomes a harmless tune, and, in the feeling of security, a real 
cradle-song. In the chase, moistening the beard and hands protects the hunter against 
flies for at least twelve hours, even in spite of the largely increased transpiration due to 
the climate. Especially interesting is its action on that plague of all tropical countries, 
the countless ants. Before the windows, and surrounding the whole house where I lived 
at Albay, on Luzon, was fastened a board six inches in width, on which long caravans 
of ants were constantly moving in all directions, making it appear an almost uniformly 
black surface. A track of the powder several inches in width, strewed across the board, 
or some tincture sprinkled over it, proved an insurmountable barrier to these processions. 
The first who halted before it were pushed on by the crowds behind them ; but, imme¬ 
diately on passing over, showed symptoms of narcosis, and died in a minute or two ; 
and within a short time the rest left the house altogether.”— British Medical Journal , 
May 30, 1868. 
Rxplosion of Nitro-glycerine. —We learn from the public papers that another 
explosion of this dangerous agent has occurred. A uitro-glycerine manufactory ex¬ 
ploded at Stockholm, by which fifteen persons were killed, and great destruction of 
property caused. 
Separation of the Solid Matter from Sewage. —Mr. Robert G. Sillar, 
“■ Times/ April 16th, suggests that the solid matter may easily be precipitated from 
sewage by pouring in a solution of common alum; and observes, that the muddy waters 
of the Woosung river in China are always purified in this way for household use, and 
that the same process might advantageously be applied to the sewage of any town, 
allowing the liquid portion to pass into the river, and the solid to be available for 
manure. 
We learn from the ‘Lancet,’ June 13, that a similar method has been tried by the 
Tottenham Board of Health for the same purpose. The plan adopted was that of M. 
Lenk, of Dresden, for the purification of water, which consists in the application of a 
solution containing alum, aluminate, carbonate of soda, and iron, or hyper-manganato 
of potash. 26,000 gallons of the liquid sewage was conducted into a large tank, 50 
feet long by 20 feet wide, and to this was added 60 gallons of M. Lenk’s solution. The 
odour gradually decreased, and those who were present at the experiment state that in 
a little while a remarkable change was apparent. The solids were precipitated, whilst 
the supernatant water gradually became transparent, and in an hour was almost clear. 
BOOKS RECEIVED. 
Principles of Forensic Medicine. By William A. Gut, M.B., F.R.S., etc. Third 
Edition, revised, enlarged, and copiously illustrated by wood engravings. London: 
Henry Renshaw, 356, Strand. 1868. 
On the Pathology of the so-called Eczema Marginatum, and of Sycosis. By 
Dr. M‘Call Anderson. Edinburgh: Printed by Oliver and Boyd. 1868. 
The Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal. Yol. I., No. 1. Toronto, May, 1868. 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Persons having seceded from the Society may be restored to their former status on 
payment of arrears of subscription and the registration fee of the current year. 
Those who were Associates before the 1st of July, 1842, are privileged (as Founders 
of the Society) to become Members without examination. 
