CORRESPONDENCE. 
307 
taught to recognize the metal in its different combinations. Following this treatment 
of the common metals are some analytical tables for recognizing the same metals in 
presence of each other. The rarer metallic elements are afterwards treated in a like 
manner, and further analytical tables given. 
Succeeding sections treat of the acids or “ acidulous radicals,'’ the common ones being 
described first, and the rarer ones afterwards. Thus, by a set of “reactions,” the pro¬ 
duction of chlorides, iodides, sulphates, tartrates, citrates, etc., is explained, and the 
tests for recognizing each acid are given. It will be seen that thus the arbitrary dis¬ 
tinction of inorganic and organic compounds, which has been hitherto so constantly 
maintained in our chemical manuals, is to a great extent broken down. Another im¬ 
portant feature of the work is the introduction of a set of questions at the conclusion of 
each chapter. These will be of the greatest possible use to the student, in testing his 
knowledge as he proceeds, and at the same time accustoming him to the ordeal of the 
examination room. Under the heading of Quantitative Analyses, the different volumetric 
estimations of the Pharmacopoeia are fully described. Sections of the work are also 
devoted to toxicology, and to the testing of urine and urinary calculi. In an appendix 
are given a number of very useful tables, including the latest and best tables of the 
strengths of the different liquid acids according to their specific gravities, showing at 
once the percentage of anhydride, of acidulous radical, and of real acid. There are also 
some new saturation tables, indicating the quantities of carbonate and bicarbonate 
of potash, carbonate and bicarbonate of soda, carbonate of ammonia, and carbonate of 
magnesia, which are equivalent to each other in saturating power, for any given quan¬ 
tity of citric or tartaric acids, ranging between 20 and 30 parts. These will doubtless 
be found very useful in prescribing or dispensing. 
We have probably said enough to show that there is much originality in both the 
plan and style of this book: let us add our conscientious belief that what is new is also 
good. To a beginner in Pharmaceutical Chemistry we could not recommend a better 
manual. 
BOOK RECEIVED. 
The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide, 
compiled by Harry Leach, Resident 
Medical Officer, Hospital Ship, ‘ Dread¬ 
nought.’ Third Edition. London: Simp- 
kin, Marshall, and Co., Stationers’ Hall 
Court. 1869. 
This Guide, which is published under the 
sanction of the Board of Trade, consists of 
rules to be observed in the prevention of dis¬ 
ease ; the treatment of accidents and cases 
of poisoning; there is also a scale of medi¬ 
cines, with directions for their use, as well 
as other information useful to seamen. 
correspondence. 
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25th of the month. 
Advertisements (not later than the 23rd) to Messrs. Churchill, New Burlington 
Street, London, W. 
Methylated Spirit.—Caution. 
Sir,—Permit me to offer some remarks 
tending to the general interests of the 
trade, and having reference to methylated 
spirit, for an alleged sale of which I have 
recently paid a large amount. It is of course 
needless to apply these remarks to those 
who purchase and deal in this compound 
largely, and to whom a licence is a sine qua, 
non; but, throughout the drug trade there 
are hundreds who, like myself, never have 
more than a gallon in stock, and that for 
occasional use in the business; and who do 
not contemplate the result of selling a por¬ 
tion in the absence of any licence. 
I was recently applied to for four ounces, 
presumably for a medical purpose, when, in 
about three weeks subsequently, I received 
an official document informing me that I 
