Jline 29, 1872.] 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
1042 
is the best armour for that life’s battle which we all 
must wage.” 
To conquer books with a view to examination is 
one thing, and by no means difficult to the deter¬ 
mined man ; but it still remains for us to learn that 
our victory does not end here, but that, vincit qui se 
vincit, —he conquers who conquers htmself. 
Much more I might have written, but here I lay 
down my pen, and pause. Not, however, without 
an increased assurance that by the right application 
of judicious study, we may rise to those true delights 
which, even in the midst of evil, are ever promised 
and awarded. An end like to this must sufficiently 
encourage, as it will surely justify, the zeal expended 
in its attainment. Let us, therefore, use and rightly 
apply the endowments we possess for the advance¬ 
ment of ourselves and others, ever recognizing in 
all things the wondrous majesty of Him in whom 
must centre the attributes of mind, and to whom all 
thought is known from the foundation of law and 
order in the material world. 
Kings College Hospital, June, 1872. 
GUN COTTON AND ITS PREPARATIONS- 
BY CHAELES H. MITCHELL.* 
A number of experiments were tried, with a view 
of ascertaining the relative proportions of cotton and 
acids, together with the proper time for maceration 
necessary to produce a cotton which should combine 
the largest yield with the highest explosive power 
and solubility. The following formula was at length 
adopted:— 
Raw Cotton.2 parts. 
Carbonate Potassa.1 „ 
Distilled Water.100 „ 
Boil for several hours, adding water to keep up 
the measure ; then wash until free from any alkali, 
and dry. Then take of— 
Purified Cotton.7 oz. av. 
Nitrous Acid,+ s.g. 1*42 . . . . 4 pts. 
Sulphuric Acid, „ 1*84 . . . . 4 „ 
Mix the acids in a stone jar capable of holding two 
gallons., and when cooled to about 80° F., immerse 
the cotton in small portions at a time; cover the jar 
and allow to stand four days in a moderately cool place 
(temp., 50° to 70° F). Then wash the cotton in 
small portions, in hot water, to remove the principal 
part of the acid ; pack in a conical glass percolator, 
and pour on distilled water until the washings are 
not affected by sol. chloride barium ; drain and dry. 
Yield, 11 oz. av. 
This cotton is perfectly white, of a harsh, gritty 
fibre, very explosive, leaving scarcely any ash, 
soluble in ether, ether fortior, acetic ether, glacial 
acetic acid, and in mixture of alcohol and ether, 
varying from 1 part ether to 3 parts alcohol to pure 
ether itself. If a cotton superior to this is desired, 
it may be obtained by treating this cotton with an 
additional proportion of the mixed acids, washing 
and drying as before. The cotton gains about one 
per cent, in weight, becomes perfectly soluble, and is 
so free from any ash as to scarcely scorch a sheet of 
white paper it may be burnt on. Both this and the 
previous gun cotton may be ignited on gunpowder 
without exploding it. The advantages claimed for 
* From an Inaugural Essay by the Author, 
f Nitric, saturated with nitrous acid. — Ed. Amer. Joum. 
of Pharm. 
this cotton over that of the U. S. P. are that it is 
perfectly soluble, very explosive, cheap, its manu¬ 
facture is much more easy, requiring but little time 
and attention, and turning out a superior product 
with large yield and less cost. 
The subject of collodion next claims our attention, 
it being the most important pharmaceutical prepara¬ 
tion of gun cotton. The applicability of gun cotton 
in ethereal solution to the dressing of wounds, in¬ 
flamed surfaces, etc., was first made known by Dr. 
Horace Maynard, of Boston. Its valuable proper¬ 
ties soon commanded attention, and at once supplied 
a want long felt in the medical profession. No 
better formula for collodion can be found than that 
of the U. S. P. Using the cotton prepared as before 
mentioned, it left notliing to be desired. 
Collodion can also be made the vehicle for other 
medicines. Those remedies which are used exter¬ 
nally, of course, can only be administered in this, 
manner. Having made a number of experiments 
on tills subject, I present the following formulie, 
several of which I think are new :— 
Styptics. 
Styptic Collodion. 
P Tannin.3 ij 
Stronger Alcohol.fl. 3 i y 
„ Ether.fl. 3 x ij 
Soluble Cotton. 5 j 3ij 
Canada Balsam. 5 j 
Introduce the cotton into a suitable bottle, pour 
on it 2 fluid ounces of alcohol, shake well; then add 
10 fluid ounces of the ether, and agitate frequently 
until dissolved. Dissolve the tannic acid in a mix¬ 
ture of the remainder of the alcohol and ether, mix 
with the first liquid, add the balsam, allow to stand 
until clear; then pour off. 
Collodion with Sesquichloride of Iron. 
P Sesquichloride of Iron . . . 3jgrs-iv 
Stronger Alcohol.fl. 3 iv 
,, Ether.fl. 3 xij 
Soluble Cotton. 5 j grs. iv 
Into a suitable bottle introduce the cotton, pour oir 
2 fluid ounces of the alcohol, and shake well; them 
add the ether, and agitate frequently until dissolved. 
Dissolve the sesquichloride of iron in the balance of 
the alcohol; mix with the prepared collodion. 
Anodynes. 
Collodion with Aconite. 
ft Powdi red Aconite Root ... 3 if 
Ether.* . fl.Syj 
Soluble Cotton. 5 j grs. iv 
Stronger Alcohol.q. s. 
Mix the ether with 2 fluid ounces of alcohol,, 
moisten the aconite with one fluid ounce of this, 
pack in a percolator and percolate with the balance, 
pouring on sufficient alcohol to recover 8 fluid ounces, 
in which disolve the cotton. 
Collodion with Belladonna. 
P Powdered Belladonna Root . . 3 ij 
Ether.A- 3 U 
Alcohol •••«••••• q. s. 
GunCotton. 5 j grs. iv. 
Mix the ether with 2 fluid ounces of alcohol, 
moisten the belladonna with 1 fluid ounce of this, 
pack in a percolator and percolate with the balance, 
pouring on sufficient alcohol to recover 8 fluid ounces* 
in which dissolve the cotton. 
