1022 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
[June 15, 1872. 
equally simple, inasmuch as the atom does not admit of 
subdivision.” 
Now, with all due deference to great authorities, we 
must submit that the conclusion here drawn does not 
follow from the premises. The theory of combination 
by juxtaposition of atoms does not necessarily imply 
combination in simple multiple proportions. What, 
indeed, is there in this hypothesis to preclude the 
possibility of 1000 atoms of one element laying 
themselves side by side with 1001, 1003, or 1007 
atoms of another, or 1,000,000 atoms of one with 
1,000,001, 1,000,003, etc., atoms of another, and so 
on, up to any conceivable degree of complexity ? The 
indivisibility of the atoms has nothing whatever to do 
with the matter; for though an atom of A cannot 
actually combine with a fraction — of an atom of B, 
there is nothing to prevent the combination of n atoms 
of A with m atoms of B, where m and n may have any 
integral values whatever. In other words, the atomic 
hypothesis is perfectly consistent with combination in 
any numerical proportions whatsoever. And, indeed, 
we need not search far for compounds exhibiting consi¬ 
derable degrees of complexity in their atomic constitu¬ 
tion ; such, for example, as the higher homologues of 
marsh-gas, the proximate principles of the animal and 
vegetable organism, or some of the derivatives of the 
opium alkaloids lately discovered by Dr. Wright. On 
the other hand, it is undoubtedly true that in a large 
number of important cases very simple ratios of combi¬ 
nation are known to exist; but this we learn from obser¬ 
vation, and not from any theory whatever. 
We would not, however, be supposed to argue against 
the atomic theory; on the contrary, we regard it as in¬ 
dispensable to the systematic teaching of chemistry. 
All that we wish to point out is that, although this 
theory may have been originally suggested by the obser¬ 
vation of certain simple cases of multiple proportion, 
and our belief in it may be strengthened by the obser¬ 
vation of a large number of such cases, its connection 
with such simple proportions is by no means so necessary 
as is frequently supposed. Conclusive evidence of its 
reality is to be looked for rather in the phenomena of 
isomerism, and still more, perhaps, in physical pheno¬ 
mena, especially in the constitution and mechanical 
properties of gases, as viewed in connection with the 
dynamical theory of heat. 
We cannot, however, here pursue the subject further; 
we merely throw out these hints for the further develop¬ 
ment which the atomic theory will doubtless receive in 
the second and third volumes of the work. 
Before taking leave of this first volume, we think it 
desirable to direct the editor’s attention to a matter of 
orthography. We observe in several places, in this, as 
well as in the former editions, the words “ condensable ” 
and decomposable.” Now we should like to ask whether 
any one would write the corresponding substantives in 
the forms “ condensation” and “ decomposition.” 
BOOK RECEIVED. 
The Hygiene of Air and Water; being a Popular 
Account of the Effects of the Impurities of Air and 
Water, their Detection, and the Modes of Remedying 
them. By William Procter, M.D., F.C.S., etc. 
London: Hardwicke. 1872. 
MEETINGS POE THE ENSUING WEEK. 
Wednesday 
June 19. 
Thursday... 
June 20. 
Saturday 
...Meteorological Society, at 7 P.M.— An nual 
Meeting. 
...'Royal Society, at 8.30 p.M. 
Chemical Society, at 8 P.M. —“Deacon’s 
Method of obtaining Chlorine as illustrating 
some principles of Chemical Dynamics.” 
By H. Deacon. 
Linnean Society, at 8 P.M. 
...Royal Botanic Society, at 3.45 P.M. 
gtoks m \r tiftonts. 
*** In order to facilitate reference , correspondents are 
requested to mark their answers in each case with the title 
and number of the query referred to. 
No notice can be taken of anonymous communications. 
All queries or answers should be accompanied by the name 
and address of the writer. 
[315.]—MOUSTACHE POMADE.—In reply to the 
query, under the above head, for a pomade or paste that 
will darken the colour of a light or grey moustache, we 
are informed by a correspondent that it may be effected 
by the use of Condy’s Fluid. 
[316.]—REMOVAL OF STAINS.—In reply to A. R., 
the stains of pyrogallic acid and nitrate of silver on the 
hands can be removed by first applying a saturated solu¬ 
tion of iodide of potassium, and then washing them in 
nitric acid diluted with twice its quantity of water. The 
iodide itself does not remove the stains, but on applying 
the nitric acid they soon disappear. A more expeditious 
and effectual way is to rub the stains with a lump of 
cyanide of potassium wetted with water, and as soon as 
they begin to disappear apply tincture of iodine to 
them, which will remove them at once ; then wash the 
hands well to remove the cyanide ; but the first I always 
find answers the purpose very well, and is not nearly so 
dangerous to use as the cyanide, which if there is an 
embrasure of the skin must not be used.— Photo. 
[317].—BROWN HAIR DYE.—Will some skilful 
compounder kindly advise me the proper quantity of water 
to use for dissolving the acetate of lead in the “ Brown 
Hair Dye,” described in No. 4, Pharmaceutical Journal, 
July 23rd, 1870, p. 70.—F. B. J. 
[318].—BLACK HAIR DYE.—I should be obliged 
if some subscriber would mention a “receipt” that will 
change the colour of the hair to a light black without 
staining the skin.—E. H. 
^ TARAXACUM COFFEE.—We copy the following 
from a recent number of the ‘Madras Mail’:—“A 
gentleman writing to our Hills contemporary, about 
Taraxacum coffee, states that he has tried the beverage 
or remedy with the utmost success. He prepared it 
exactly as the coffee-bean is used ; it was dried, boiled, 
or roasted, and pounded and used with coffee. One 
tenth part of Taraxacum to nine parts of coffee. This- 
fortunate gentleman was entirely cured of diarrhoea 
arising from disordered state of the liver, and is as 
grateful, we should say, as Maria Jolly, who, * after 50 
years of indescribable agony,’ was restored to perfect 
health, as the advertisements still attest, by the use of 
six boxes of Holloway’s pills, and many pots of his. 
ointment. This simple remedy is within every one’s 
reach on the Hills, as the plant grows wild all over the 
Ncilgherries. We should have thought some enter¬ 
prising firm in Madras would by this time have adver¬ 
tised Taraxacum coffee for sale. We are not aware that 
the root even can be obtained in Madras, except pre¬ 
pared as an extract, which is about the most sickening 
thing possible as a beverage, tasting somewhat lfl^ 
extra fiat ditch-water. We think a Taraxacum fizz, 
made palatable by lime-juice or raspberry vinegar, would 
make an excellent and popular ‘ Tonic Water.’ Let 
the ‘ certified ’ chemists look to it.” 
LYCOPODIUM.—Lycopodium has been met with 
in American commerce adulterated with starch. This 
adulteration may be detected easily by the microscope, 
especially if the powder be viewed floating on water 
containing a trace of iodine. 
