472 
VARIETIES. 
dermic  application  of  various  substances,  such  as  hydrochlorate  of  morphia. 
— American  Joum.  Med.  Sci.  from  Assoc.  Med.  Journ.  April  1,  1853. 
Antiseptic  properties  of  Iodoform  ;  Inhalation  of  its  Vapor  in  Phthisis. — 
Iodoform,  according  to  Righini  (Journ.  de  Chim.  Med.  Feb.  1853,)  is  pos- 
sessed of  remarkable  antiseptic  and  antispasmodic  properties.  He  tried  it 
in  a  silk  manufactory,  by  distributing  vessels  containing  small  quantities, 
either  in  powder  or  diffused  in  water,  through  different  parts  of  the  estab- 
lishment ;  and  he  found  it  effectual,  with  the  advantage,  moreover,  of  not 
incommoding  the  work  people.  As  a  hygienic  resource  in  hospitals,  he  re- 
commends that  it  be  employed  in  the  following  manner : — 
A  soft  paste  is  made,  by  moderately  heating  sixteen  parts  of  starch  in  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  distilled  water,  and  stirring  them  with  a  wooden 
spatula.  Eight  parts  of  iodoform  having  been  added,  the  mixture  will  be 
found  to  be  readily  absorbed  by  filtering-paper.  The  paper  prepared  in 
this  way  is  cut  into  strips  three  or  four  inches  wide,  and  suspended  in  the 
wards.  The  iodoform  slowly  escapes  without  causing  any  inconvenience  to 
the  inmates.  It  is  most  freely  liberated  in  moist  states  of  the  atmosphere. 
M.  Righini  recommends  iodoform-paper  for  the  purpose  of  obviating  the 
bad  smells  and  noxious  effluvia  of  slaughter-houses,  and  also  for  preserving 
meat  from  spoiling. 
M.  Righini  states  that  the  inhalation  of  iodoform  dissolved  in  ether  is  of 
great  service  in  retarding  the  progress  of  phthisis. — Ibid. 
Eitartrate  of  Magnesia. — The  Hanoverian  Pharmacopoeia  has  the  follow- 
ing formula  for  this  salt,  viz. : 
Take  of  Tartaric  acid        -  125  grammes. 
Distilled  water  -  -  -     2000  " 
Dissolve  and  add  gradually  in  portions, 
Carbonate  of  magnesia        -  -  157  grammes. 
Evaporate  and  crystallize. 
Journ.  de  Chim.  Med. 
Caffein. — The  Hanoverian  Pharmacopoeia  directs  caffein  to  be  made  by 
precipitating  a  decoction  of  coffee  with  acetate  of  lead,  filtering  and  washing 
the  precipitate,  evaporate  the  liquids  to  dryness  and  after  mixing  the 
powdered  extract  with  sand,  the  mass  is  sublimed  in  a  Mohr's  apparatus 
just  as  in  making  benzoic  acid. — Journ.  de  Chem.  Med. 
Suppository  of  Belladonna. — The  Pharmacopoeia  of  Hanover  directs  a 
suppository  to  be  made  of 
Extract  of  Belladonna  10  grains. 
Acetate  of  morphia       -        -        -  f  of  a  grain. 
Butter  of  cacao        -  1|  drachm. 
Mixed  and  made  into  three  suppositories.         [Journ.  de  Chim,  Med. 
