414  GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  FRENCH  JOURNALS. 
six  fluid  ounces  of  simple  syrup,  mix  and  filter  if  necessary. 
Each  teaspoonful  will  contain  three  grains  of  phosphate  of  iron. 
It  is  probable  that  the  addition  of  sufficient  ammonia  to  the  solu- 
tion to  convert  the  citric  acid  nearly  all  into  a  citrate  of  that 
base  ;  would  render  the  syrup  more  permanent,  but  less  agree- 
able, and  by  evaporating  this  solution,  without  adding  sugar, 
to  a  syrupy  consistence,  it  is  quite  probable  that  the  soluble 
phosphate,  in  scales  above  alluded  to,  may  be  prepared. 
The  formula  for  <<  Chemical  Food"  or  Compound  Syrup  of 
the  Phosphates,  may  also  no  doubt  be  modified  by  substituting 
citric  for  phosphoric  acid  as  a  solvent  for  the  phosphate  of  iron, 
as  it  has  already  for  that  of  lime. — Editor  Amer.  Jour.  Phar- 
macy. 
GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  FRENCH  JOURNALS. 
By  the  Editor. 
Researches  on  the  Essential  Oil  of  Valerian  M.  Pierlot, 
(Repertoire  de  Pharmacie,  Juin,  1859,)  finds  as  the  result  of  his 
researches  ;  1st.  Essential  oil  of  valerian  pre-exists  in  the  recent 
root  of  valerian.  2d.  Recent  or  old,  ithis  oil  contains  five  per 
cent,  of  valerianic  acid.  3d.  Rectified  on  caustic  potassa  it  is 
perfectly  neutral,  and  no  agent  has  power  to  generate  the  acid 
from  it.  4th.  It  contains  two  different  essential  oils ;  one 
a  hydrocarbon  (C20H16)  which  is  neutral  and  volatilizes  entirely 
without  leaving  a  residue,  and  constitutes  28  per  cent,  of  the 
crude  oil.  The  other,  oxygenated  oil  or  valerol  (C24H20O2),  is 
neutral,  resinifiesin  the  air  and  under  the  influence  of  nitric  acid, 
and  decomposes  into  several  bodies.  5th.  Valerol  is  constituted 
of  stearoptene  of  valerian,  resin  and  water ;  and  lastly,  that 
valerol  cannot  be  acidified  by  any  process  whatever. 
Purgative  and  Vermifuge  Biscuits. — M.  Fabre,  of  D' Aries,  re- 
commends the  following  biscuits  for  medicinal  use,  viz  :  To  medi- 
cate each  biscuit  add  for : 
No.  1.    For  children  between  5  and  10  years  old. 
Precipitated  sulphur,  pure  resin  of  jalap,  and  pure  resin  of 
scammony,  of  each  a  grain  and  a  half. 
No.  2.  For  children  from  10  to  15  years  old. 
Precipitated  sulphur  4  grs.,  resin  of  jalap  and  resin  of  scam- 
mony of  each  3  grains. 
