ON HYDROFLUORIC ACID. 
649 
with hydrogen is left exposed to the atmosphere, the metal is apt to become 
suddenly hot, and to lose its gas entirely by spontaneous oxidation.” 
Mr. Graham’s last communication on this interesting subject was read before 
the Royal Society on the 14th of last January, and we shall probably insert it 
in our next number. 
DOUBLE SALTS OF CARBOLIC ACID. 
At the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society a paper, by Dr. Arthur Ernest Sansom, 
on these new salts was read. 
Modern research has established with a near approach to precision the doctrine that 
zymotic diseases are due to the influence of minute organized germs upon the body. In 
the case of vaccinia they seem to be demonstrable as minute granules. By inference, if 
not by observation, much can be learned concerning the physical qualities of these 
disease-producing organisms. They are capable of destruction by various chemical 
agencies; on this circumstance is based the theory and practice of disinfection The 
agencies which destroy them are, however, not always chemical; some bodies which can 
be proved to have no chemical influence whatever have the peculiar property of arrest¬ 
ing the vitality of organized bodies. Though means have been long adopted, in order 
to prevent the spread of disease, to neutralize disease-producing agencies externally to 
the living body, it is only lately that a plan of treatment has been pursued with the 
object of killing the vitally endowed disease-producing particles when once they have 
entered the living organism. The plan of treament by the sulphites recommended by 
Professor Polli no doubt destroys germs, sulphurous acid and the sulphites acting upon 
them not as chemical, but as vital poisons. Perhaps the most powerful agent known 
possessing a like property is carbolic acid. This, however, in regard to its administra¬ 
tion, presents many practical difficulties. The difficulties have been overcome by the 
discovery and employment of salts obtained by the neutralization of sulpho-carbolic acid 
(C 6 H 6 S0 4 ) with the alkaline, earthy, and metallic bases. The first compound salt, 
sulpho-carbolate of potash, was obtained by Mr. Crookes, F.R.S. The author has suc¬ 
ceeded in producing, in addition, the following salts, all having the characters of true 
double salts, and possessing brilliant and decidedly crystalline form ; sulpho-carbolate of 
sodium, of potassium, of ammonium, of magnesium, of zinc, of copper, and of iron. 
An inquiry instituted with the view of determining the relative efficiency of the various 
salts in staying fermentative action established the following results:—1, the sodium 
salt; 2, magnesium; 3, potassium; 4, ammonium. It was shown from experiments 
upon the lower animals, as well as from the results of administration to the human sub¬ 
ject, that the following was an outline of the plan of action of the sulpho-carbolates. 
They are absorbed with great rapidity, exert no toxic effect (the human subject readily 
taking drachm doses every four hours), are decomposed in the system into— a , carbolic 
acid, which, traversing the system, is exhaled by the breath ; b, sulphate of soda, which 
permeates the tissues, and is excreted by the urine. Though carbolic acid cannot be 
detected in the tissues after death, it is shown that an influence enabling the body to 
resist putrefaction has been exerted ; the urine passed also resists decomposition. Pro¬ 
longed courses of sulpho-carbolate of sodium given for two months to phthisical 
patients show that the drug could be administered not only with impunity, but with 
considerable advantage. Of 35 cases, 13 greatly improved, 15 considerably improved ; 
9 cases gained in weight an average of 2^ lbs.— Medical Times and Gazette. 
ON HYDROFLUORIC ACID. 
, BY G. GORE, F.R.S. 
[A bstract of a Paper read before the Royal Society .) 
A. Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid. 
This paper contains a full description of the leading physical and chemical properties 
of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid, and also an account of various properties of pure aqueous 
hydrofluoric acid. The author obtained the anhydrous acid by heating dry double 
VOL. X. 2 Y 
