MISCELLANEA. 557 
of copper are almost certain to ignite sooner or later, at uncertain periods, after mixing, 
and without premonitory phenomena. Secondly, mixtures of chlorate of potash, sul¬ 
phur, and nitrate of strontian, in quantities larger than about an ounce, will frequently 
take fire within a few hours after they are made. When nitrate of baryta is substi¬ 
tuted for strontia, the liability is nearly as great. When sulphuret of antimony or 
charcoal is added, the liability is greatly lessened, but probably not entirely done away 
with. Thirdly, when any of these compositions have become damp and ineffective 
from the deliquescent nature of the salts employed, and are submitted to too much heat 
for the purpose of drying them, they will suffer a peculiar and sudden decomposition, 
followed by actual ignition. In the secoud case mentioned, decomposition is manifested 
by the evolution of an orange-coloured gas, which hangs as a cloud or vapour over the 
compound. If the desiccation of the salts has been thoroughly effected prior to mixing, 
and the atmosphere should be in a damp state from weather or any other cause, the 
mixture, unless at once secured from moisture, will often ignite in an hour from the 
making. In the third case, as soon as the temperature rises to a certain height, the 
mass begins to hiss and bubble, suffering a kind of fusion, accompanied with the pro¬ 
duction of the gas or vapour before alluded to. Of the nature of this vapour, which 
smells both of chlorine and nitric oxide, I am ignorant. The action is probably cata¬ 
lytic, and induced by the energetic absorption of moisture from the air. Our chemists 
could do no better service to the community than by investigating this matter tho¬ 
roughly.” 
Strong Hoses of Camphor. —A case illustrating the danger of strong doses of cam¬ 
phor is recorded in the ‘ Lancet ’ of January 9, as having been brought before the Societe 
de Medecine et de Pharmacie de Grenoble. An enema consisting of five grammes of 
camphor dissolved in the yolk of ar. egg was given to a child three years of age, suffering 
from typhoid fever. Symptoms of poisoning soon manifested themselves, convulsions, 
lividity of the countenance, stupor, arrest of the urinary secretion, etc. The employ¬ 
ment of coffee sufficed to restore the child. 
Hear Drugs.—An earnest effort will be made to include in the amendments to the 
tariff bill a large reduction of the duty now imposed on many foreigti drugs and medi¬ 
cines in daily and common use by the American people, articles which do not come in 
competition with any of our domestic products, inasmuch as they are not the growth or 
production of our own country. In some instances this duty amounts to more than 150 
per cent .—New York I'imes, Jan. 28. 
Bichroic Ink. —A new ink, under the above name, has been brought out by Messrs. 
Bewley and Draper, of Dublin. It is said to consist, of a strong solution of logwood; it 
has no sediment, and being free from acid, does not corrode the pen ; it sinks rapidly 
into the paper, and soon becomes black. 
Death from Chloroform Self-administered.—On Thursday, Dec. 10th, Mr. W. 
Carter held an inquest at the Horse and Groom tavern, Walworth Road, touching the 
death of Mr. A. John Roberts, aged thirty-one years. Mr. John Jones, assistant to 
Messrs. Faulkner and Steadman, chemists, of 241, Walworth Road, said that on Sunday 
last tire deceased returned home. He was manager to the firm. He went up to bed. 
Shortly afterwards he was found dead. He was in high spirits when he retired to rest. 
He had been in the habit of using chloroform for the purpose of deadening pains in the 
face. Mr. Chrisp, surgeon, said the deceased was his nephew. When he was called in, 
he found him lying with his face on the pillow. There was a silk handkerchief in his 
right hand. Near the body was an empty phial, which had contained chloroform. The 
post-mortem examination of the body proved that death had resulted from the inhalation 
of chloroform. The jury returned a verdict “ that the deceased killed himself by misad¬ 
venture.” 
Tincture of Iodine with Carbolic Acid. —In the ‘ Lancet’ of Dec. 12th, it is 
stated, on the authority of Dr. Bogs, of the Indian service, that by the addition of a few 
drops of chloroform to tincture of iodine, the latter will not stain when required as an 
njection. The following proportions are given:— 
Tincture of Iodine .... 45 drops. 
Pure Carbolic Acid ... 6 drops. 
Glycerine.1 oz. 
Distilled Water.5 oz. 
