580 
VARIETIES. 
able  to  cicatrization.  This  dressing  has  the  double  power  of  disinfecting 
the  pus  and  other  morbid  products,  and  of  absorbing  them;  the  last 
circumstance  is  of  the  greatest  importance,  because  it  enables  the  use  of 
lint  to  be  dispensed  with.  Fifty  kilogrammes  of  this  powder  may  be  made 
in  Paris  for  one  franc.  M.  Velpeau,  at  the  Hopital  de  la  Charite,  and 
several  other  French  Surgeons  have  employed  this  preparation  with  great 
success,  and  speak  very  highly  of  its  disinfecting  properties.  Mr.  Crace 
Calvert,  of  Manchester,  has  addressed  a  letter  to  the  French  Academy,  in 
reference  to  this  subject,  pointing  out  the  great  variation  which  exists  in 
the  composition  of  coal  tar,  and  the  consequent  necessity  for  more  ac- 
curately ascertaining  to  which  of  the  constituents  the  disinfecting  properties 
are  really  due,  in  order  to  ensure  the  uniform  action  of  the  preparation. 
From  the  results  of  his  own  experiments  he  considers  that  the  antiseptic 
properties  of  the  tar  are  entirely  due  to  the  carbolic  acid  present.  He 
states,  that  a  corpse  injected  with  a  weak  solution  of  this  acid,  was  pre- 
served from  decomposition  for  several  weeks;  and  that  a  piece  of  flesh 
steeped  in  carbolic  acid,  was  exposed  to  the  air  for  three  years  without 
change.  He  also  states,  that  a  small  quantity  added  to  urine  will  preserve 
it  from  decomposition  for  some  weeks ;  and  that  it  is  also  capable  of  pre- 
venting the  gallic  fermentation  from  taking  place  in  the  solutions  of  tanning 
substances. — London  Pharm.  Journal. 
Glycerine  Ointment  for  the  Itch. — M.  Bourguignon,  so  well  known  in 
Paris  by  his  successful  researches  on  "the  acarus  scabiei,"  has  published 
in  the  Gazette  Medicate  the  following  formula.  One  general  friction,  not 
preceded  by  soap  ablutions  is  sufficient:  Yelks  of  two  eggs*  essence  of 
lavender,  lemon,  and  mint,  of  each  120  drops ;  gum  tragacanth,  half  a 
drachm  ;  well  pounded  sulphur,  twenty-six  drachms  ;  glycerine,  thirty-two 
drachms.  Total  weight,  nearly  eleven  ounces.  Mix  the  essence  with  the 
yelk  of  egg,  add  the  gum  tragacanth,  make  a  good  mucilage,  and  then 
add  very  gradually  the  glycerine  and  sulphur.  Many  cures  have  been 
obtained  by  this  preparation,  which  has  the  advantage  of  giving  no  pain. 
The  well-known  Helmeric  ointment  being  really  useful,  M.  Bourguignon 
has  modified  it,  and  substituted  glycerine  for  the  axunge.  In  the  altered 
form  the  preparation  is  not  any  dearer,  as  efficacious,  and  less  painful 
than  the  original  ointment.  It  does  not  grease  the  clothes,  and  has  an 
agreeable  perfume.  Gum  tragacanth,  fifteen  grains;  carbonate  of  potash, 
thirteen  drachms  ;  well  pounded  sulphur,  twenty-six  drachms ;  glycerine, 
fifty-two  drachms;  essences  of  lavender,  lemon,  mint,  cloves,  and  cinnamon, 
of  each  fifteen  drops.  Total  weight,  nearly  eleven  ounces  :  make  a  mucil 
age  with  the  gum  and  one  ounce  of  glycerine,  add  the  carbonate,  mix  until 
it  is  dissolved,  and  then  gradually  add  the  sulphur  and  glycerine;  lastly, 
pour  in  the  essences.  With  this  compound,  M.  Bourguignon  advises  two 
general  frictions  of  half  an  hour,  within  twelve  hours  of  each  other,  and 
followed,  twenty-four  hours  afterwards,  by  a  simple  warm  bath,  as  the 
