536 
PURIFICATION  OF  SPIRITS  BY  FILTRATION, 
like  too  many  of  our  useful  indigenous  remedies.  The  M.  tripe- 
tala  (the  bark)  is  highly  esteemed  by  the  common  people  as  a 
tonic,  and  some  of  them  even  consider  it  an  infallible  specific  in 
dropsies ;  this,  of  course,  cannot  be  conceded,  but  the  estimation 
in  which  it  is  held  is,  at  least,  an  evidence  that  it  is  not  by  any 
means  destitute  of  medicinal  virtues.  And  in  addition  to  this, 
we  have  the  higher  evidence  of  our  Dispensatory  that  it  has  been 
found  useful  in  chronic  rheumatism,  and  intermittent  and  remittent 
fevers.  We  have  had  no  experience  with  it  in  the  treatment  of 
the  above  diseases ;  but  we  have  used  the  leaves  as  a  dressing 
for  blistered  surfaces  with  satisfactory  results,  and  the  main  ob- 
ject of  this  article  is  to  commend  this  application  to  the  attention 
of  the  profession. 
We  will  simply,  in  conclusion,  mention  why  we  think  this 
dressing  should  be  considered  worthy  of  notice  :  1st.  The  leaves 
of  the  Magnolia  are  not  officinal,  and  it  may  therefore,  be  pre- 
sumed, that  their  uses  are  unknown.  2d.  We  think  that  they 
are  equally  as  good  as  the  collard  or  cabbage  leaves,  so  much 
used;  while  they  are  often  more  readily  obtainable,  much  larger, 
and  less  offensive  in  smell. 
Before  using,  we  scald  them,  but  think  it  possible  that  they 
would  answer  every  purpose,  if  applied  in  the  natural  state. 
Southern  Med.  and  Surg.  Journal,  July,  1854. 
PURIFICATION  OF  SPIRITS  BY  FILTRATION. 
By  Mr.  W.  Schaeffer. 
Instead  of  resorting  to  repeated  distillations  for  effecting  the 
purification  of  spirits,  Mr,  Schaeffer  proposes  the  use  of  a  filter. 
In  a  suitable  vessel,  the  form  of  which  is  not  material,  a  filtering 
bed  is  constructed  in  the  following  manner  : — On  a  false  perfo- 
rated bottom,  covered  with  woollen  or  other  fabric,  a  layer  of 
about  six  inches  of  well-washed  and  very  clean  river  sand  is 
placed  ;  next  about  twelve  inches  of  granular  charcoal,  preferring 
that  made  from  birch ;  on  the  charcoal  is  placed  a  layer  of  about 
one  inch  of  wheat,  boiled  to  such  an  extent  as  to  cause  it  to  swell 
as  large  as  possible,  and  so  that  it  will  readily  crush  between  the 
fingers.  Above  this  is  laid  about  ten  inches  of  charcoal,  then 
about  one  inch  of  broken  oyster  shells,  and  then  about  two  inches 
