386  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.  {Am-i™^f9h3arm- 
action  of  the  atmospheric  oxygen.  This  liquid  is  titrated  with  a 
solution  of  bichloride  of  mercury  (10  gm.  to  the  litre)  and  to 
counteract  the  retarding  action  of  the  hydrochloric  acid  contained 
in  the  tin  solution,  0*1  gm.  of  the  mercuric  salt  is  treated  with  5  cc. 
of  a  liquid  containing  100  gm.  ammonium  acetate  and  100  gm. 
acetic  acid  per  litre.  The  acetic  acid  disperses  the  brown  color 
which  appears  when  the  protochloride  of  tin  is  in  excess. 
This  dispersion  takes  place  more  slowly  toward  the  end  of  the 
reaction,  which  is  indicated  by  the  entire  liquid  assuming  a  brown 
color  upon  the  addition  of  3  or  4  drops  more  of  the  tin  solution. 
Upon  determining  by  known  methods  the  quantity  of  protochloride 
of  tin  which  corresponds  to  a  given  weight  of  bichloride  of  mercury, 
it  will  easily  be  seen  that  the  reaction  takes  place  according  to  the 
theoretic  formula : 
SnCl  +  2HgCl  =  SnCl2  +  Hg2Cl. 
This  process  is  very  convenient,  rapid  and  precise,  and  can  be 
used  inversely,  for  estimating  protochloride  of  tin  in  a  solution,  by 
the  aid  of  a  titrated  solution  of  bichloride  of  mercury. 
Oil  of  cinnamon  is  considered  by  M.  Lucas-Championniere,  who 
has  for  some  time  been  using  certain  oils  in  the  place  of  the  toxic 
antiseptics,  of  disagreeable  odor,  as  superior  even  to  sublimate  as 
an  antiseptic.  Its  slight  solubility  in  water  renders  it  rather 
irritant  to  the  skin,  but  this  is  nullified  by  dissolving  one  per  cent, 
in  retinol.  It  is  necessary  for  this  solution  to  first  rectify  the  oil  of 
cinnamon,  the  rectified  product  bearing  the  name  cinnamol.  A 
salve,  composed  of  cinnamol,  retinol  and  wax,  has  a  good  effect 
upon  the  healing  of  aseptic  wounds. 
The  oils  of  verbena  and  geranium  have  analogous  action.  These 
oils  are  easily  absorbed,  and  are  eliminated  by  the  urine. — Rev. 
therap.  med.  chir.f  June,  1893,  P-  29°- 
Chlorobromide  of  iron. — At  normal  temperature  and  under  ordi- 
nary pressure  a  combination  of  bromine  and  anhydrous  protochlo- 
ride of  iron  is  effected  only  after  a  month  or  more  of  contact. 
However,  using  a  sealed  tube,  operating  at  about  100°  C.  and  using 
an  excess  of  bromine  (10  cc.  to  about  2  gm.  protochloride  of  iron) 
crystals  begin  to  appear  after  24  hours ;  after  about  five  days  all 
the  protochloride  of  iron  is  transformed  into  a  volatile,  crystalline 
product,  which  excess  of  bromine  will  not  again  dissolve. 
