174 
MISCELLANY. 
It appears from these facts, that iodic acid is susceptible of being de- 
composed by substances which exist in abundance, as an element of nu- 
trition, and as a constituent of the liquids and solids of animals. One of 
the secretions, urine, contains a substance which has the same effect. 
Hence, on analysing the substances contained in the stomach, in a case of 
poisoning by opium, the certainty of finding albumen, and the possibility 
of meeting uric acid, can render the separation of the morphia from 
these two substances but very difficult and complicated, and even doubt- 
ful, so that iodic acid can no longer be considered as a test for Morphia, 
J. de F. 
Journ. de Pharm. 
Elixir of Vitriol. — Among the relics of old pharmacy retained in the 
French Codex, is the preparation known by the names of Teinture aro- 
matique, Elixir vitriolique de Mynsicht, and tinctura aromatica sulphurica. 
Lest any of our young readers should confound it with with the aromatic 
spirit of ether of the Pharm. Lond., 1824, we will observe that the Pari- 
san elixir is made without distillation. The French recipe is as follows: 
Take of the root of sweet flag, an ounce ; galangale, {Galanga offici- 
nalis,) an ounce ; chamomile flowers, half an ounce: sage leaves, half 
an ounce ; wormwood leaves, (Absinthium officinale,) half an ounce; curl- 
ed leave mint, (Mentha crispa,) half an ounce; cloves, three drachms; 
cinnamon, three drachms ; cubebs, three drachms; nutmegs, three 
drachms ; ginger, three drachms ; aloes wood (Moexyluma galochum,) one 
drachm; lemon peel, one drachm: white sugar, thiee ounces ; alcohol, 
two pounds ; sulphuric acid, four ounces. 
The solid substances are to be reduced to a coarse powder, then put 
into a matras, and eight ounces of alcohol poured over them. After for- 
ty-eight hours' maceration, the sulphuric acid is to be gradually mixed 
with them, and the mixture is to stand for twenty-four hours; the rest of 
the alcohol is then to be added. — London Med. Gaz. from Med. Ex % 
Johnson's Syrup — The patent granted to the inventor for five years 
having expired, this syrup has become public property. It consists of an 
ounce of syrup of liquorice, forty-six grains of the fresh juice of asparagus 
heads, and the same quantity of the syrup of mallow. — Ibid. 
On the preservation of Canlharides. — I wish to make known a process, 
which I have not seen described, by which, at the moment of collection, 
the life of the Spanish fly may be destroyed. This mode, which is very 
simple, consists in placing them in a bottle, or other vessel, and closing 
air-tight with cork, to expose them to the direct rays of the sun for some 
hours. The fuller the vessel, the sooner will asphyxia take place, as it is 
