MISCELLANY. 
85 
Mucate of Methylene. — This combination which may be represented by 
mucic ether, in which the bicarburet of hydrogen may be replaced by the 
methylene, has been obtained by M. Malagutti, by following exactly the 
same process, as for the preparation of mucic ether, but at the same time 
substituting spirit of wood for alcohol. This compound is solid, fixed, 
crystallizable, colourless, insipid, soluble in water, but little so in al- 
cohol. It is composed of 
Carbon 40.7. 
Hydrogen 5.9. 
Oxygen 53.4. 
its formula according to the author should be C12 Hs mucic acid + 
H4_|_0H2 hydrated methylene, which formula is similar to that of 
mucic ether recently given by M. Malagutti and which presents a new 
probability, that the true composition of anhydrous mucic acid is C12 Hs 
07 and not C^^ fjio qs, which has been admitted until the experiment 
of M. Malagutti. Ibid, 
St. John Long's Liniment. Mr. Guthrie having had presented to him, 
for the purpose of trying its effects, some of the once famous liniment of 
Mr. Long, selected some cases for its application ; and also had it applied 
to his own person, he being affected at the same time with a pain in the 
knee, attended with slight lameness. The experiment was conducted 
openly at the Ophthalmic Hospital, the liniment being applied by Mr. 
Wood, the person who rubbed under Long. It was used in five cases, 
besides Mr. Guthries' own ; but the disease of one only is stated, viz — 
that of a boy who is said to " have come up amaurotic from the country." 
The result of the treatment is thus given by Mr. Guthrie : It cured my 
knee and the boy's eye, and did good to all the remaining four. The 
liniment appears to be perfectly mild and harmless, looking like thick 
yellow cream, and having a faint turpentine smell. Applied to the skin 
it felt cool and agreeable, and not in the slightest degree stimulating. It 
was assiduously rubbed on the part by means of a small, soft, round 
sponge ; and after a sufficient application, the part became red, and finally 
excoriated and inflamed. Mr. Guthrie attributes the whole effect of the 
liniment to the mode of application and nothing to its own virtues. In 
proof of this, he had himself rubbed with soap suds in the same manner 
as wits done with the liniment, and exactly the same result followed. I 
should have said, if I had been asked, says Mr. Guthrie, that the soap 
lather was the most severe liniment of the two. 
The mystery of St. .John Long's operations, and of his (doubtless) 
occasional success, seems thus cleared up, and we consider the profession 
much indebted to Mr. Guthrie for its solution. We do not doubt that 
