212 
GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  FRENCH  JOURNALS. 
more  satisfactory,  producing  a  syrup  equally  strong,  less  pene- 
trating in  its  odor  and  not  changing  or  adhering  to  the  bottle 
in  which  it  is  kept. 
\^  Assafoetidse,  3iv. 
Magnesise  carb.,  5vj. 
Sacchari  alb.,  3XV. 
Aquae  ferventes,  fl.  ^x. 
Triturate  the  gum  resin  intimately  with  the  carbonate  of 
magnesia,  then  add  10  fluidounces  of  hot  water  in  small  por- 
tions, constantly  agitating  the  mixture.  Filter,  and  if  the  im- 
pregnated water  should  measure  less  than  8  fluidounces,  add 
enough  distilled  water.  Finally  add  15  ounces  white  sugar, 
put  on  a  water  bath  and  dissolve  at  a  moderate  heat.  Stir,  and 
as  soon  as  the  sugar  is  dissolved,  take  the  syrup  from  the  fire, 
any  further  heating  being  injurious  to  the  preparation. 
A  syrup  so  prepared  is  clear  and  transparent^  and  of  a 
light  straw  color  ;  its  taste  and  odor  is  very  distinct  of  the  drug 
itself,  and  less  unpleasant  than  the  mistura  assafoetidee,  or  even 
the  syrup  prepared  in  former  way. 
Philadelphia,  Aprilld,  1861. 
,,GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  FRENCH  JOURNALS. 
By  THE  Editor, 
Biniodide  of  Potassium. — Mr.  Ernest  Baudrimont  (Jour,  de 
Pharm.,  Jan.  1861,)  doubts  the  existence  of  this  salt,  and  says 
that  iodide  of  potassium,  with  an  equivalent  of  iodine  in  solu- 
tion, when  agitated  with  sulphuret  of  carbon,  is  decolorized, 
leaving  an  aqueous  solution  of  iodide  of  potassium,  whilst  the 
sulphuret  of  carbon  is  colored  by  the  iodine  which  it  holds  in 
solution. 
Nitrification. — Millon  has  observed  that  nitre  is  always  pro- 
duced with  regularity,  provided  a  humus  product,  an  ammonia- 
cal  salt,  and  a  mixture  of  earthy  carbonates,  are  present,  the 
solid  mass  being  constantly  moistened  and  exposed  to  the  air. 
The  action  of  the  alkaline  humate  is  to  absorb  oxygen,  and  this 
oxidation  is  transferred  to  the  ammonia,  which  hereby  becomes 
converted  into  nitric  acid. 
Qoal  lar  Soap. — M.  Demeaux  recommends  this  soap  as  a  dis- 
infectant. It  is  made  by  mixing  equal  parts  of  coal-tar,  soap,  and 
