324 
FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
kept up by steam and ammonia vapour, which are blown in, 
and also by a small fire underneath the pans. When the 
solution is strong enough to crystallise, it is drawn off into 
large coolers, and there agitated to prevent the formation of 
large crystals; the alum-flour so obtained is washed and re¬ 
dissolved by steam, and the solution run off into crystallising 
tubs, where it remains for ten days or a fortnight; the mother- 
liquid is then run off, and the alum is broken up, and is ready 
for the market. 
A Confirmatory Test for Albumen in the Urine. 
—When urine gives, by heat and by nitric acid, a precipi¬ 
tate insoluble in this acid, there is evidence that it contains 
albumen. The author recommends the following confirmatory 
test to be applied in such cases. The precipitate is collected, 
well washed, and dissolved in a little potash. To this solu¬ 
tion is added one or two drops of Barreswilks solution 
(cupro-potassic tartrate); a fine, rich violet colour is obtained, 
especially if the albuminous solution is somewhat concen¬ 
trated. In this case it is not even necessary to apply heat to 
obtain the reaction, which, however, is required if the liquid 
only contains little albumen. The author states that this re¬ 
action is very characteristic.—M. Ludovic Bouland, /ww. 
de Pharm,. 
Application of Permanganate of Potassa. —The 
solution of this salt is readily decomposed by organic matter 
generally, and particularly by vegetable tissues. Some time 
ago Prof. Boettger found that this solution may be filtered 
through guncotton without decomposition; and recently he 
suggested the latter substance as suitable for applying the 
permanganate solution as an antiseptic in dressing wounds, 
ulcers, &c. This mode of application has proved eminently 
successful, the bad odour of suppurating wounds disappear¬ 
ing almost instantly.— Amer. Journ. Pharm . 
Chilblains. —M. W. E. Schaller says that the fluid con¬ 
centrated chloride of iron is an unfailing remedy for chil¬ 
blains, its application to them for a single day effecting a 
cure. It may also be used with advantage in frost-bites.— 
Wiener Medizinischen Wochenschrift. 
Antidote to Carbolic Acid. —Sweet oil or castor oil 
swallowed in large quantities is recommended as the most 
efficient antidote to carbolic acid, when it has been taken in 
poisonous doses. 
Chloral and Strychnine. — Dr. Liebreich estab¬ 
lishes a comparison between these two substances, in the 
