659 
X 
THE FATAL EXPLOSION IN MAKING OXYGEN GAS. 
of various strengths, and their strength changes by evaporation, as they are exposed 
for a longer or shorter period to the open atmosphere. If such menstruum is poured over 
a certain drug, it dissolves and extracts more or less of the soluble parts of the same, ac¬ 
cording to its strength; but if the same liquid has to be poured repeatedly over the 
§ame drug it loses its strength alcoholically, and some of those portions first dissolved are 
precipitated, and an imperfect extract is the result. The value of the extract being de¬ 
termined by its alcoholic strength when finished, the same or similar reasons render it 
objectionable to subject the extract when first obtained to the evaporating process, for by 
this process the volatile or spirituous part of the menstruum is first evaporated, and the 
weaker liquid is not capable of keeping in solution many of those parts of the drug 
which had originally been dissolved in the extract. 
These objections are obviated by rny process, which is carried out in the following 
manner :—I first weigh off a quantity of drug, and the same quantity or more by weight 
of the menstruum or liquid by means of which the extract is to be made, a little more of 
the menstruum being required as a little moisture is left in at the last pressing. The 
drug being ground to a proper fineness, is then dampened with a small portion of the 
liquid and subjected to heavy pressure (say from 800 to 1009 tons) ; already all the 
liquid, or nearly so, together with such parts of the drug which have dissolved in the 
same, is expressed. A fresh portion of the liquid is then sprinkled over the drug, a little 
time being allowed for the liquid to dissolve the soluble parts of the drug, and the 
same process of pressing repeated until the whole quantity of the liquid is used up, and 
the drug is completely exhausted and the required measure obtained. By this process 
an extract is obtained which represents, pound by pound, the crude drug. The drug is 
perfectly extracted, and the menstruum preserves its original strength throughout, so 
that the same is capable of retaining in solution all those parts which are dissolved 
during the various stages of the process. Furthermore, by my process the tedious and 
expensive process by evaporation is dispensed with, and concentrated fluid extracts of any 
description can be produced cheaper and better than by any process heretofore applied 
and as the application of heat is entirely avoided, the preparation does not receive the 
injury by heat that all such preparations are liable to if heat is applied to them, no matter 
how carefully done or moderate the degree of temperature, and furthermore, the changes 
thereby of strength of solvent are avoided. (From United States Patent, taken out by 
Mr. Spencer Thomas .)—Medical Press. 
GULLIBILITY OF THE PUBLIC. 
A Pliarmacien of Paris has lately introduced a speciality which under the name of 
Oleo-morrhuine, and a label ambiguously worded, purports to supply the public with Cod 
Liver Oil in the form of a colourless , saccharine powder , declared to be.more efficacious 
than all the Cod Liver Oil of commerce, as already proved by long experience ! Not¬ 
withstanding its manifest absurdity, this powder (which is entirely devoid of the taste 
and smell of Cod Liver Oil) finds eager purchasers, and is even prescribed by medical 
men. It is sold in little boxes at the modest price of 3| and 6 francs each ! 
THE FATAL EXPLOSION IN MAKING OXYGEN GAS. 
Evan Griffiths Hughes, chemist and druggist, Cateaton Street, Manchester, surren¬ 
dered bail, on an indictment of manslaughter. Mr. Holker and Mr. Pope were for the 
prosecution; Mr. Serjeant Simon and Mr. Kay for the defence. According to Mr. 
Holker’s opening, the charge against the prisoner was that he sold an adulterated 
mixture of manganese and carbon, which produced a fatal explosion. The prosecution 
aimed to bring home to Mr. Hughes, either that he himself adulterated the manganese, 
or that he sold it knowing it to have been adulterated. Manganese, mixed with 
chlorate of potash, was used by chemists and others in the manufacture of oxygen gas. 
These substances had to be mixed in certain proportions, in a retort. If the manganese 
was not pure, or was adulterated w r ith carbon, the whole mixture became a chemical 
substance almost as explosive as gunpowder. On the 17th of December, Mr. Morgan, 
/ 
