MISCELLANY. 
159 
to it the tonic and carminative properties of the substances of which it 
is composed. 
Two or three pastilles, or grains, are sufficient to give the breath the 
most agreeable perfume and freshness. j£ f ;' r 
The Bologna catechu corrects the bad breath caused by affections of 
the stomach, decayed teeth, &c; and smokers frequently use it to con- 
ceal the smell of tobacco. In most parts of Italy the richer classes al- 
wayscairy it about with them, and take it as a pastime. — Chemist, from 
Journal de Pharmacie. 
Chemical Examinatioa of Sassafras Root — By Dr. Hugo Reinsch. — 
Dr. Reinsch analysed the bark of the root, which contains a much larger 
portion of the active constituents than the wood. His results are as 
follows : 
90 
Heavy volatile oil - 1 
Light volatile oil - - > - 
8 
Camphoraceous matter ) 
Tallowy matter 
8 
Balsamic resin - > 
50 
Wax - - - $ 
Sassafrid 
92 
58 
Sassafiid, tannic acid and gum 
68 
Albumen 
6 
Gum, red colouring matter, and salts - 
30 
Starch } 
Reddish brown colouring matter, tannic acid, > 
54 
and salts 
Starch, tannic acid, &c, extracted by a solu 
tion of caustic potash - 
Insoluble woody fibre - 247 
1000 
The substance called sassafrid is a peculiar principle, which may 
be arranged with tannic acid. It is difficultly soluble in water, but 
soluble in ether and alcohol. It communicates a dark colour to alcohol. 
Sassafras wood freed from the bark yielded similar results; but it 
contained scarcely half the quantity of the constituents which the bark 
yielded, and the volatile oil was even in still smaller quantity. This 
fact is especially worthy of notice, because we, in general, obtain from 
Druggists the wood already cut, the bark being previously removed 
and sold separately. — Ibid } from Buchncr's Repertorium. 
