470 
A PORTABLE STYPTIC. 
For the preparation of a convenient styptic, it is recom¬ 
mended by the Moniter cles Sciences Medicates to soak amadou 
or German tinder in a solution of perchloride of iron of a 
density of about 1.250. It should then be dried in the sun, 
and rubbed between the hands to restore its suppleness and 
porosity. Small pieces applied to leech bites soon stop their 
bleeding. They may be held in their places by strips of 
plaster.— Lancet. 
TEST EOR POISONOUS PAPER HANGINGS. 
Common spirits of hartshorn or ammonia is a very sure 
and easy test for arsenic. On application, the beautiful but 
dangerous green turns to a decided blue.— Lancet. 
POISONING BY ARSENICAL SHEEP-DIPPING MIXTURE. 
A letter from Rugby, under the date July 12th, contains 
an account of ten persons having been poisoned at Ashby 
St. Ledgers, a village on the borders of Northampton¬ 
shire. 
It appears that Mr. W. P. Cowley, a farmer, living with 
his mother (a widow) and his brothers, had his sheep clipped 
or washed, last week, in a strong mixture of arsenic and soft 
soap, diluted with water. On Tuesday week Mr. Cowley 
sent his brother, Mr. E. Cowley, to Daventry, where he 
purchased 61b. of arsenic and a barrel of soft soap, weighing 
30lb. On the following morning Mr. W. P. Cowley and his 
mother prepared the sheep-dipping mixture, in which some 
lambs were washed. In this operation Mr. Cowley and 
several of his labourers were employed. 
After assisting her son in the preparation of the soap and 
arsenic, Mrs. Cowley proceeded to make a batter pudding for 
the dinner of her family and the labourers and servants. By 
some means, as yet unaccounted for, arsenic became mixed 
with the pudding, and the whole of the persons who partook 
of it, ten in number, became violently sick just after dinner, 
and exhibited all the symptoms of being poisoned. 
The best medical assistance in the neighbourhood was pro¬ 
cured, but one man died, and another is not expected to 
survive; the others are all more or less affected. The name 
of the deceased is Richard Smith, an agricultural labourer 
fifty-three years of age. 
