160 
MISCELLANY. 
The means of ascertaining the efficacy of Digitalis. By M. Falken. — 
Accord ing to M. Falken. the following plan is a means of ascertaining, 
in an infallible manner, whether or not digitalis possesses its virtues. 
50 centigrammes of the powder of the leaves of digitalis are to be in- 
fuse djn boiling water, and after an hour to be strained off. When cold 
20 to^30 drops of a solution of ferrocyanide of potash are added, pre- 
pared with 75 centigrammes of this salt, to 15 grammes of distilled 
water. 
If the digitalis is active, the infusion becomes rather clouded, but if 
the cloud does not appear before ten or fifteen minutes, we may con- 
sider the digitalis as not possessing a sufficient degree of activity. 
According to M. Falken, the digitalis grown in Switzerland has proved 
the most active. — Ibid. 
Dr. GoudreVs Ammoniacal Blistering Ointment. — The following im- 
proved formula for this application is recommended by the author in 
in preference to that which has hitherto been in use : 
Take of Laid - - - 32 parts 
Oil of Almonds - - 2 " 
Melt the lard with the oil by the application of a gentle heat: pour 
them in the melted state into a wide-mouth bottle, and add 
Solution of Ammonia - - 17 parts 
Mix, by continual agitation, until it becomes cold. It is necessary to 
avoid the application of much heat in the preparation of this ointment. 
When well prepared it will produce vesication in about ten minutes 
and will retain its properties unimpared for about a month, if kept in a 
well stopped bottle. — Ibid, from Journal de Pharmacie. 
ELLIS'S MEDICAL FORMULARY. 
Correction. — The Publishers of this Work respectfully request tbosc 
persons who have the seventh edition, to correct a tyrographical error for the 
" medicated hidbocyauate of potassa," [cyanide of potassium,'] at page 
83 whtrein the sym bol for an ounce is used in place of that for a drachm. 
The following is the correct prescription , and corresponds with the propor- 
tions directed in all the previous editions of the Work - 
I£. Potassii hydrocyanici medicati, gj. 
Aquce destillatse, Oj. 
Sacchari purificati, giss. 
Fiat solutio. — Dose, a table-spoonful, night and morning. 
