I 
518      METHODS  OF  MAKING  MEDICINES  AGREEABLE,  ETC. 
it  is  noticed  that  during  the  conversion  of  isinglass  into  fining, 
the  acidity  of  the  menstruum  seems  greatly  diminished,  at  least 
in  taste  ;  probably  not  on  account  of  any  alkaline  property  of 
the  isinglass,  but  by  its  enveloping  the  acid  particles. 
As  an  article  of  food  in  the  preparation  of  creams  and  jellies 
it  is  in  great  request.  Four  parts  of  it  convert  one  hundred  of 
water  into  a  tremulous  jelly. 
It  is  used  with  gum  as  a  dressing  for  silks  and  ribbons. 
The  makers  of  artificial  pearls  employ  it  to  fix  the  "  Essence 
d' Orient"  on  the  glass  globules  which  form  those  pearls. 
It  is  used,  also,  dissolved  with  gum  ammoniac,  as  a  cement, 
for  joining  broken  china,  &c.  By  spreading  its  solution  upon 
silk  the  well  known  court  plaster  is  made.  Sheets  of  wire  gauze, 
set  in  window  or  lamp  frames  and  dipped  several  times  in  a 
solution  of  isinglass,  answer  instead  of  glass  for  some  purposes. 
The  outer  surface  should  be  varnished  to  protect  it  from  damp 
air.  This  application  was  made  by  M.  Rochen,  of  France,  and 
these  panes  of  gelatin  are  now  much  used  for  lamps  instead 
of  horn,  in  the  maritime  arsenals  of  France. 
UPON  IMPROVEMENTS  ON  METHODS  OF  RENDERING  MEDI- 
CINAL PREPARATIONS,  PLEASING  TO  THE  EYE  AND  TO  THE 
TASTE,  AND  AGREEABLE  TO  USE. 
By  Frederick  Stearns,  of  Detroit,  Mich. 
Next  to  efforts  in  the  advancement  of  pharmaceutical  skill 
and  science,  which  secure  increased  efficiency  to  medical  agents, 
there  are  none  which  meet  the  more  ready  appreciation  of  the 
physician,  or  insure  the  grateful  remembrance  of  the  suffering 
invalid,  like  those  which  tend  to  relieve  the  remedies  employed 
of  all  repulsiveness  in  form,  appearance,  or  taste. 
While  I  am  unable,  from  my  own  knowledge,  to  offer  as  much 
of  value  to  the  Association  as  could  older  and  more  experienced 
members,  yet  I  submit  the  following  random  notes,  and  express 
the  hope  that  some  more  skilful  pharmaceutist  will  be  appointed 
to  report  upon  the  same  subject  at  our  next  meeting. 
The  administration  of  the  officinal  vinegars  and  dilute  mineral 
acids,  is  rendered  more  agreeable  by  the  addition  of  small  por- 
tions of  alcoholic  solutions  of  any  of  the  flavoring  essential  oils, 
