314 
PHARMACEUTICAL APPARATUS. 
advantage be given as a substitute for that preparation, espe- 
cially in cases of children, as the sugar conceals much of the 
unpleasant acrid taste of the assafetida. 
This syrup is much more permanent than the mixture, having 
kept some for several months without any apparent change, ex- 
cept in color, owing to the action of the light on the resin ; 
while the mixture kept in the same situation became very unplea- 
sant in a short time. It also has an advantage over the tincture 
in being entirely free from alcohol, which sometimes is objec- 
tionable. 
PHARMACEUTICAL APPARATUS. 
By the Editor. 
Swift's Patent Seive. — On a former occasion, (vol. xviii. 255,) 
we described a mill intended for the apothecary's use, laboriously 
and disagreeably effected in the mortar,- might be accomplished 
with comparative facility and comfort. We have now to notice a 
sifting apparatus by the same 
inventor, (see figure,) in- 
tended as an adjunct to his 
mill, but which will be found 
useful on many occasions 
when the mill is not needed. 
It consists of an iron wheel, 
axle, and crank, a having an 
eccentric groove sunk into 
one of its sides so as to pre- 
sent six wave like depres- 
sions and elevations. The 
wheel is firmly supported by the cast-iron standard b, on a stout 
wooden base i; another iron standard e supports in a smooth 
groove, and against the wheel, the end of the horizontal iron bar 
c, from which an iron pin projects into the groove of the wheel. 
The other end of the bar passes through the side of the box J\ and 
is pinned to the square seive d, which works smoothly in a hori- 
