240 
MICELLANY. 
crystallisation, it must be diluted with water, and boiled, when the 
morphia may be precipitated by ammonia diluted with water. This 
morphia, previously washed, is saturated with diluted hydrochloric acid, 
and added to the salt previously procured. The whole is then decom- 
posed by ammonia, which precipitates almost all the morphia, leaving 
the codeine and some morphia in the solution. The precipitated mor- 
phia is then saturated with diluted hydrochloric acid, when the narcotine 
will be separated, unless an excess of acid be used ; after which, the 
liquid having been filtered, and a large excess of hydrochloric acid 
added, the morphia will speedily crystallise. The collected salt is sub- 
mitted to the press, and about 3-4ths of a pure white salt will be ob- 
tained. The mother-water is again precipitated by ammonia, as at first, 
and the same process of crystallisation is adopted. It is so speedy, tha* 
it can be practised several times in a day ; whereas, previously, a day 
was required for each crystallisation. If other salts of morphia are re- 
quired, the solution of the hydrochlorate must be decomposed by diluted 
ammonia. Ibid. 
Acetic Extract of Cantharides. By M. Soubeiran. — The acetic extract 
of cantharides has been long used in Germany, and is considered as the 
best and most efficacious preparation yet made. This preparation is 
made in the following manner : take 4 parts, by weight, of cantharides 
powder; 1 part of concentrated pyroligneous acid, and 16 pints of alco- 
hol ; digest at a temperature of about 90° ; express the fluid ; filter and 
distil off the alcohol at a gentle heat. A syrup-looking extract, of a but- 
tery consistence, is left — the acetic extract of cantharides. It is power- 
fully vesicant. It is only necessary to spread a thin film over paper, 
and apply it directly to the skin, when it rapidly causes free and full 
vesication. The presence of the acetic acid in this preparation prevents 
the cantharadine from crystallising — a circumstance which is a great 
inconvenience in the etherial extract, rendering its application not always 
certain. Edin, Med. and Surg, fourn., from L' 'Experience, 
