MISCELLANY. 
263 
cyanic acid.* After a number of experiments upon this point, he had found 
that if the red color depended upon the presence of sulphocyanic acid, the 
addition of a solution of corrosive sublimate had at once an entire bleach- 
ing effect upon the tested liquid ; while, on the contrary, should the red 
color depend upon the presence of meconic acid, the solution of corrosive 
sublimate has no effect. The above test had held good in a variety of 
experiments in which the tested fluid was combined with various animal 
secretions, &c. 
Mr. Everitt then exhibited a preparation of extract of henbane, which 
he had kept in a close-stopped bottle for two years ; the extract was in a 
high state of preservation. Previous to placing it in the bottle he had 
drawn off all the moisture from the extract by placing it under an air-pump 
with sulphuric acid. Mr. Everitt then threw out some hints on the advan- 
tage of keeping extracts free from moisture. Lancet. 
Dupuytren's Pommade for the Hair. — The following formulas of this 
pommade are given, each as genuine, in a late number of the " Journal de 
Pharmacie." 
By M. Fontaine. 
Beef marrow, four ounces ; 
Calomel, two drachms and a half ; 
Alcohol, ext. of cantharides, eighteen grains ; 
Essence of roses, four drops. 
By M. Cap. 
Beef marrow, two ounces ; 
Extract of canthar., eight grains ; 
Oil of roses, one drachm ; 
Essence of lemon, four drops. 
The following, M. Recluz assures us, was shown to Dupuytren him- 
self, at the Hotel-Dieu, and acknowledged by him to be exact. 
Beef marrow, six ounces ; 
*Nervine balsam, two ounces ; 
Peruvian balsam, two ounces ; 
Oil of almonds, an ounce and a half ; 
Ext. of cantharides, sixteen grains ; 
Alcohol at 30°, one drachm. 
Dissolve the cantharides in the alcohol; melt the marrow and the ner- 
vine balsam with the oil, and pass them through a fine filter; then agitate 
until it acquires the consistence of spermaceti, and add to it the Peruvian 
* Nearly ten years ago, Dr. O'Shaughnessy pointed out, in The Lancet, the fact 
that the meconate and sulphocyanate of iron might be distinguished from one another 
by means of an alkaline solution. The sulphocyanate is immediately bleached to a 
dead pale white by the alkali, while the meconate, on the contrary, becomes deeper 
in its tint. — En. Lancet. 
* For the composition of this balsam, see «* Edward's Manuel," p. 158. 
