MISCELLANEA. 
441 
V 
10. —A good permanent preparation of Pumpkin Seeds (Pepo, U. S. P.), is a deside¬ 
ratum, with a view to its convenient use as a tasnifuge remedy. What is the best, 
with a formula ? 
11. —What is the most convenient form of apparatus adapted to common use, for re¬ 
gulating the temperature at or below 160°, 140°, and 120° respectively, as directed in 
the evaporation of some of the officinal extracts ? 
12. —What are the causes of the decomposition of the Syrups and other Vegetable 
solutions, the best precautions to prevent it, and the best means of restoring such pre¬ 
parations which have deteriorated ? 
13. —In what preparations may Glycerine be used to prevent the deposition of apo- 
theme ? What is the minimum quantity that will answer the purpose, and will such 
preparations bear dilution ? 
14. —How far is Glycerine capable of substituting Alcohol in extracting drugs for 
pharmaceutical preparations? Would such substitution be economical? 
15. —Is the cultivated Valerian, produced in New England, of equal quality with that 
imported from England and Germany, and are there any characteristic differences by 
which they may be distinguished ? 
16. —The so-called Naphtha or Benzine derived from the rectification of coal oil is 
very variable in properties. How far do these properties fit it for use in Pharmacy, 
and what are the relations, if any, of specific gravity and solubility among these hydro¬ 
carbons ? 
17. —What indigenous articles of the Materia Medica can be properly and profitably 
cultivated ? 
MISCELLANEA. 
Accidental Poisoning 1 by Digitalis. —On the 5th instant Henry Murney, son 
of the late Hon. William B. Murney, for years a member of the Legislative Assembly 
and Legislative Council; George Rankin, son of Mr. Arthur Rankin, M.P.P.; and Charles 
Scott, son of the late Mr. W. S. Scott, agent of Molson’s line of steamboats, and brother 
of Mr. Scott, manager of the Express Company, who were staying at the Russell Hotel, 
stopped at the drug-store of Messrs. Sturton and Co., corner of St. John and Stanislaus 
Streets, and ordered a stimulating drink made of chemical compounds. The elder Mr. 
Sturton, who is reputed one of the best chemists in the province, was absent; but his 
son, who is his partner, was present, and made up the potions as ordered. Unfortu¬ 
nately, he mistook one bottle for another, and gave his patients a draught of digitalis— 
a deadly poison—instead of gentian, as he intended. The party had no sooner left the 
store than the effect of the poison began to manifest itself. Each of them complained, 
on leaving the store, that their fingers and the extremities of their toes were affected alike ; 
that a burning sensation, as if pierced by needles, was troubling them, but did not sus¬ 
pect for a moment that they had been poisoned. Although the distance from Mr. 
Sturton’s drug-store to Russell’s Hotel is scarcely 100 yards, yet the deadly draught had 
such an effect that Mr. Murney fell twice from exhaustion before reaching Palace Street; 
and immediately after entering the hotel his companion, Mr. Rankin, fell senseless on 
the table in the reading-room. They were immediately conveyed to their respective 
rooms and medical aid called in. The noxious draught had, however, taken too deep a 
hold; and although Dr. Marsden and one or two other physicians were in immediate 
attendance, and the stomach-pump, with a free application of antidotes, were used, yet 
they were found of no avail. Mr. Murney, after suffering for an hour and a half, 
expired ; while his friends, Mr. Rankin and Mr. Scott, lay in a very low condition, their 
medical attendant, Dr. Marsden, remaining with them all night. Mr. Scott and Mr. 
Rankin are now out of danger. The coroner’s inquest has resulted in a verdict of 
“ manslaughter ” against Mr. Sturton, jun.— Quebec Daily News. 
Growth of the Dalsam of Peru Tree. —Seeds of the Balsam of Peru tree QMy- 
roxylon Pereira, Kl.) transmitted by Dr. Charles Dorat, reached England in February, 
1861, and young plants raised from them in English hot-houses are now from nine to 
fifteen inches high. Some of these seeds were sent to the Botanic Garden of Peradenia 
in Ceylon, whence Mr. Thwaites thus wrote in November last respecting the plants ob¬ 
tained from them:—“ The largest plant I have of Myroxylon Pereira has a trtmk nine 
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