VARIETIES. 
87 
fectly  separated,  it  has  a  greenish  color,  and  contains  the  whole  of  the 
copper  salt  which  was  present  in  the  brandy. — Ibid,  from  Polytechn.  Noik,- 
Uatt,  1853. 
Poisoning  by  Aconitum  Napellus. — In  the  Times  of  November  10th  is  the 
report  of  a  case  of  poisoning  by  aconite  root,  taken  by  mistake  for  horse- 
radish, from  which  it  appears  that  Mr.  Joseph  Russell,  of  Chard,  Somer- 
setshire, being  on  a  visit  to  his  brother  in  Bristol,  partook  of  some  roast 
beef  for  dinner,  and  having  expressed  a  wish  for  some  horseradish,  some 
was  procured  from  the  garden  and  dressed  in  the  usual  manner.  It  was 
remarked  at  the  time  that  it  must  have  been  very  bad  horseradish,  as  it  did 
not  possess  the  usual  flavor.  Soon  after  dinner  Joseph  Russell  complained 
of  a  peculiar  tingling  sensation  in  his  hands  and  arms,  which  rapidly 
increased.  Brandy  was  given,  and  medical  aid  instantly  procured,  but  he 
rapidly  sunk,  and  died  in  about  an  hour.  His  brother  experienced  the 
same  sensations  in  a  slighter  degree,  and  is  now  recovered.  On  examina- 
tion it  was  found  that  the  root  was  that  of  Aconitum  nap>ellas.  An  inquest 
was  held  on  the  body  of  the  deceased,  and  averdict  was  returned  of  "  Died 
of  strong  narcotic  poison,  Aconitum  napellus,  taken  in  mistake  for  horse- 
radish." 
A  similar  case  is  mentioned  by  Dr.  Pereira  (Materia  Medica,  vol.  ii., 
page  2170,  Third  Edition),  and  in  a  foot-note  by  the  editors  another  case 
is  mentioned  (reported  in  the  Times  of  Nov.  4,  1842),  in  which  the  same 
root  was  taken  by  mistake  for  horseradish. — Pharm.  Journal,  Pec.  1, 
1853. 
New  Compositions  for  Lubricating  Railway  Carriage  Axles,  Machinery, 
&c.  By  Mr.  Hill  (of  the  great  Western  Railway). — No.  1. — Boil  1  cwt. 
of  rice  in  a  sufficient  quantity  of  water  to  increase  its  weight  about  sixfold 
and,  when  boiled,  add  about  4  cwt.  of  liquid  alkali  prepared  as  follows: — 
Take  1  cwt.  of  British  alkali,  1  cwt.  of  lime,  and  8  cwt.  of  boiling  water, 
and  stir  the  same  well  together ;  then,  after  standing  for  twenty-four 
hours,  the  liquid  will  be  ready  to  be  combined  with  the  pulp  or  paste.  This 
liquid  should  not  exceed  five  per  cent,  of  soda  in  strength,  tested  according 
to  the  usual  mode. 
The  4  cwt.  of  alkaline  liquid,  above  mentioned,  having  been  mixed  with 
the  pulp,  the  whole  is  boiled  and  stirred  well  together  for  a  short  time,  and 
the  mixture  run  off  and  rubbed  through  a  very  fine  sieve.  About  2  cwt.  of 
tallow,  3  cwt,  of  palm  oil,  4  cwt.  of  caustic  alkali,  and  4  cwt.  of  water  are 
next  melted,  and  boiled  together :  the  pulp  is  then  added,  stirring  it  in 
with  the  grease  and  alkali,  until  all  are  thoroughly  mixed;  the  compound 
is  then  to  be  rubbed  through  a  sieve,  and  passed  into  coolers  to  consolidate, 
after  which  it  will  be  ready  for  use. 
No.  2. — A  cheaper  lubricating  material  may  be  made  as  follows  s — 1  cwt. 
of  bean  or  other  flour  is  made  into  a  paste,  by  adding  it  to,  and  stirring  it 
