356 
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OF THE MEDICAL ACT. 
Eose water and elder-flower water were directed to be distilled from the flowers. The 
latter was extremely prone to become “mothery,” but when the pickled flowers are used, 
this disposition is much less shown. A very minute trace only of chloride of sodium could 
be detected in the water, and would not counterbalance the great gain in keeping qualities. 
Mr. Bkown referred to a paper on “Distilled Waters,” by Mr. Warington (Pharm. 
Journ. vol. iv. p. 558), in order to introduce the subject of triturating essential oils with 
water. The author depreciates, with good reason, the use of magnesia, and advises 
powdered glass or flint. 
He found the former to be partially soluble, and was not disposed to regard the 
forms in which silica was often used as being satisfactory. Thus, he had been accus¬ 
tomed to use a fine and well-washed sand as the medium for triturating essential oils 
with water; but as soon as the water was added, however gradually, the oil left the sand 
and rose to the surface, and from that moment its useful effect was lost. 
Magnesia was more efficient mechanically, and as it diffused through the water with 
the oil, it served admirably the purpose intended ; but its solubility was a grave objection 
to its use. 
Mr. Bkown had regarded it as a desideratum to find some better process, and had 
turned his attention to a method of digestion. Pie placed distilled water and an essential 
oil, in suitable proportions, in a strong stone bottle, immersed this in a water-bath, agi¬ 
tated occasionally, and when the contents of the bottle reached a temperature of 203° to 
206 , securely corked it, and continued the heat for half an hour. The method appeared 
quite rational; the diffusion of the oil would be promoted by the currents in the heated 
fluid, and the increased pressure within the bottle had also a further influence. The spe¬ 
cimen of peppermint water thus prepared had a strength superior to that usually found. 
Some of the specimens exhibited had been prepared in small quantity by confining 
the materials in the head of the still, and passing the steam through them,—a plan which 
ought to be found advantageous for the more delicate waters, as rose-water. 
A large series of specimens was placed upon the table, illustrating the statements made. 
In the discussion which followed, Mr. Yewdall stated that he used fine sand for triturating 
with the essential oils, employing it freely, and was quite satisfied with it. 
Mr. Keynolds wished to refer to a paper on “ Distilled Waters,” by Mr. Haselden 
(Pharm. Journ. vol. xvi. p. II), the general conclusions of which as to distilling particular 
waters, or otherwise, corresponded with those arrived at by Mr. Brown. It was surprising 
how little attention had been paid to the subject, and the present paper was, as far as 
he knew, the most comprehensive in its scope that had been offered to the pharmaceu¬ 
tical world. He believed that it was not well understood what the College meant by 
“ powdered silex.” If it was the substance he now exhibited, prepared for use in pottery 
by calcining flints and grinding them, it appeared admirably suited to the purpose, but it 
was evident that fine sand was constantly employed under the idea that it Avas a proper 
form of silica. 
Mr. Atkinson was in the habit of using the powdered flint, and thought it a good 
plan to pour the oils upon it, add the water hot, and leave till cold. He thought the 
method of digestion now suggested would be readily carried out. 
Mr. Clayton queried whether the trifling precipitate in elder-flower water made from 
“pickled ” flowers was not due to organic matter rather than to chloride of sodium. 
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OE THE MEDICAL ACT. 
MEETING OE CHEMISTS AND DKUGGISTS AT DUDLEY. 
Following the movement in other places, a meeting of the chemists and druggists of 
Dudley and its immediate vicinity was held in the committee room of the Mechanics’ Insti¬ 
tute, on Tuesday last, for the purpose of taking into consideration the amendments pro¬ 
posed to be inserted in the Medical Act, intended to be applied for by the Medical General 
Council in the next session of Parliament. About eighteen chemists and druggists were 
present, including Messrs. Ilollier, Morris, Bell, Gare, Owen, White, Bradley, Dunn, 
Dudley; Messrs. Nicklin and Svvinnerton, Tipton; Mr. Geary, Brierley Hill; Messrs. 
