CHLORINATED  LUNAR  CAUSTIC. 
477 
CHLORINATED  LUNAR  CAUSTIC. 
By  Henry  N.  Rittenhouse. 
In  a  previous  number  of  the  Druggist,  was  an  article  with  the 
above  heading,  by  Dr.  J.  Lawrence  Smith,  of  Louisville,  (from 
the  Medical  News,)  in  which  he  suggests  the  addition  of  chloride 
of  silver,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  it  strength  and  lessening  its 
solubility.  I  have  tried  his  formula  several  times,  also  that  pro- 
posed by  Dr.  Squibb,  for  the  same  purpose,  but  without  success 
in  obtaining  the  desired  strength  of  the  sticks,  when  using  pure 
chloride  of  silver,  but  with  the  use  of  chloride  of  sodium  as  first 
suggested,  I  have  never  failed  in  obtaining  a  desirable  article. 
It  is  not  nitrate  of  soda  that  is  necessary  for  success  ? 
As  far  as  the  therapeutical  effects  are  concerned  of  fused 
nitrate  of  silver,  I  cannot  see  any  objection  to  the  small  quanti- 
ty of  nitrate  of  soda  present ;  and  when  properly  labelled  as  it 
should  be,  and  sold  for  what  it  really  is,  what  objection  is  there 
to  using  chloride  of  sodium,  if  it  is  really  an  essential  ? 
Powdered  Blue  Mass. — I  offer  for  the  benefit  of  your  readers, 
the  following  formula  for  powdered  blue  mass,  which  I  have 
found  after  repeated  trials,  to  furnish  a  satisfactory  product. 
Take  of  Mercury,  1  oz.  Troy. 
Pulv.  Liquorice  Root,        J  oz.  " 
Pulv.  Rose  Leaves,  gi. 
White  Sugar,  1  oz  33. 
Water,  f-3U« 
Mix  half  an  ounce  of  sugar  and  two  drachms  liquorice  root  in 
a  mortar,  add  the  mercury,  then  the  water  gradually  ;  triturate 
the  materials  rapidly,  until  the  mercury  is  extinguished,  (which 
can  be  readily  done  in  five  minutes),  then  add  the  remainder  of 
the  ingredients,  and  mix  thoroughly,  spread  the  damp  powder 
upon  paper  for  a  few  hours  to  dry.  Powder  and  sift  it.  This 
formula  has  the  advantage  of  producing  a  preparation  identical 
with  the  Pil.  Hydrarg.  of  the  U.  S.  P.,  in  composition  and 
strength,  and  is  easily  prepared. —  The  Druggist. 
