MISCELLANEA. 
had to decide was, whether the poison was taken wilfully or by mistake. The jury 
returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased destroyed himself by taking aconite, 
whilst in a state of temporary insanity. 
Fatal Petroleum Accident.- An explosion of American oil, attended by loss of 
life, took place at the village of Oxenhope. Mr. John Parker, a small shopkeeper there, 
some time since purchased a barrel of petroleum, which is said to have been sold as 
Young’s patent paraffin oil. Requiring to use a portion of it, he was in the act of 
raising the cask to a convenient place upon the counter, where a candle was burning. 
When about half a yard away from the light a leakage was observed, and in an instant 
a loud explosion oocurred, blowing Mr. Parker completely through the doorway. The 
whole house was quickly enveloped in flames, Mrs. Parker and two sons were thrown 
down with great violence. The mother on recovering her feet snatched up her infant, 
and passing through the fire, gained the road with but little injury. The sons—John 
William, aged seventeen, and Olbin, eleven—made for the stairs, and succeeded in 
reaching a side bed-room on the first floor. The eldest jumped out of the window, and 
was picked up apparently lifeless. He has since returned to consciousness, but lies in a 
very dangerous condition. The younger son was overpowered in the attempt to follow 
his brother, and sank upon the room-floor dead. Two daughters, Ann and Florence, aged 
respectively four and six years, were asleep in bed at the time in a room immediately 
over the shop. They w'ere found dead, and, from the appearance of the bodies, they 
must have died instantly from the effects of the gas given off after explosion. Mr. 
Parker was also badly burnt. 
Another terrible explosion of petroleum is reported to have taken place lately. When 
a vessel with a cargo of petroleum was proceeding along the Welland canal, an explo¬ 
sion took place which was heard for miles around. All the men were blown into the 
air, and the captain and three of the men were drowned. 
BOOKS RECEIVED. 
The Prescribers’ Analysis of the British Pharmacopoeia. By J. Biekbecx Ne- 
vins, M.D. Lond., etc. London: John Churchill and Sons, New Burlington Street. 
186L This little work contains a list of medicines and preparations introduced into 
the British Pharmacopoeia, which were not previously in either the London, Edinburgh, 
or Dublin Pharmacopoeias, with their doses and properties; a list of important altera¬ 
tions of strength or composition in those which still retain their old names unchanged; 
also a list of substances and preparations omitted from the present, which were for¬ 
merly in the London, Edinburgh, or Dublin Pharmacopoeias. The differences between 
these latter works and the British Pharmacopoeia, including additions, omissions, and 
alterations, are also indicated. In the directions given relating to doses, etc., some am¬ 
biguities will be observed, as for instance, under Liquor Ammonia Acetatis we find 
“ Dose, f gss to f 5 V in an f gviij mixture,” and the term “ dose ” in the directions given 
for the use of the Liniments is not a happy one. Notwithstanding a few ambiguities, 
the work will be found a useful guide to the British Pharmacopoeia. 
Dr. Herabath’s Address on Chemistry, in its relations to Medicine and its Col¬ 
lateral Sciences. Bristol, 1863. (From the Author.) 
A Tabular View of the Relative Strengths of Similar Preparations whose 
Activity has been altered in the new British Pharmacopoeia, for the purpose 
of facilitating the Labour of the Prescriber. (From Messrs. Bewlay, Hamil¬ 
ton, and Co., Dublin.) 
A Toxicological Chart, exhibiting at one view the Symptoms, Treatment, and 
Modes of Detecting the various Poisons, Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal ; to 
which are added Concise Directions for the Treatment of Suspended Animation. By 
William Stowe, M.R.C.S.E. Twelfth edition, revised. London: John Churchill 
and Sons. 
Transactions of the Medical and Physical Society of Bombay, for the year 
1862. Bombay. 1863. 
