128 
BENZINATED  SOLUTION  OF  ALUMINA. 
zinc,  and  if  the  entire  surface  is  not  crystalline,  the  upper  sur- 
face is  always  more  so  than  in  pure  aluminium  ;  the  form  of  the 
crystals  is  also  quite  different. 
In  giving  the  theoretical  proportion  of  material  employed  in 
the  manufacture  of  aluminium,  the  relative  cheapness  of  its  pro- 
duction, its  properties  and  strength  when  comparing  it  bulk  for 
bulk  with  other  metals,  it  is  desired  to  demonstrate  its  valuable 
properties  and  uses,  also  to  guard  against  the  fictitious  reports 
so  current  of  its  excessive  cheapness. 
Note. — The  experiment  of  Sir  H.  Davy  should  be  mentioned 
in  the  early  production  of  this  metal ;  he  endeavored  to  produce 
it  by  passing  the  vapor  of  potassium  over  alumina  at  a  white 
heat ;  he  obtained  only  small  grey  particles  interspersed  with 
aluminate  of  potash. 
BENZINATED  SOLUTION  OF  ALUMINA. 
By  M.  Mentel. 
The  following  preparation,  to  which  M.  Ment  el  has  given  the 
name  "Benzinated  Solution  of  Alumina"  may  be  considered  as 
a  good  hemostatic. 
Dissolve  one  kilogramme  (21bs.  8oz.  Troy)  of  pure  sulphate  of 
alumina  in  two  litres  (4  J  pints)  of  water.  Saturateethis  solution 
with  gelatinous  hydrate  of  alumina,  recently  prepared,  till  it 
ceases  to  dissolve.  Then  add  to  this  liquid  100  grammes 
(25  drachms)  of  amygdoloidal  benzoin ;  bruised  maintain  the  heat 
during  six  hours  at  a  temperature  of  140°  to  176°  Fahr.,  agitat- 
ing from  time  to  time,  and  regulating  the  evaporation  so  that  the 
filtered  solution  will  have  a  density  of  30°  Baum^,  equal  to  a 
density  of  1-261  at^59°  Fahr.  It  is  now  filtered  and  put  in  a  cool 
place  (in  the  cellar  in  summer  and  at  the  temperature  of  32° 
Fahr.  in  winter.)  Some  crystals  of  alum  are  thus  formed  by  the 
union  of  the  sulphate  of  alumina  and  some  ammonia  adhering 
to  the  gelatinous  alumina,  and  separated.  A  transparent  solution 
is  thus  obtained,  of  the  density  of  about  1-250,  remarkable  for  a 
very  sweet  odor  and  an  astringent  balsamic  taste. 
This  benzinated  solution  of  alumina  not  only  possesses  very  de- 
cided anti-hsemorrhagic  properties,  but  Prof.  Laugier  employed  it 
with  success  in  injections  in  leucorrhoea  and  ulcerations  of  the 
neck  of  the  uterus,  accompanied  by  fetid  discharges.  The  strength 
is  2 1  to  5  drachms  to  a  pint  of  water.— Jour,  de  Phar.  Janv,  1857. 
