88 
MISCELLANY. 
the same end would be attained if emetia were substituted for ipecacuanha. 
This, however, he entirely disapproves of. Journ. de Chimie Med. 
Sulphate of Manganese employed as a purgative. — Mr. Th. Thompson 
states that the ordinary sulphate of manganese is well known to chemists, 
but it has not appeared, until recently, to exist in three states, differing 
from each other by their water of crystallization. 
The first is obtained accidentally in delicate scales of a red color ; it is 
composed of 
1 atom sulph. acid, 5 
1 " prot. ox. mang. 4.5 
3| " water, 3.75 
The second crystallizes in beautiful transparent rhomboidal forms of the 
same color as the preceding; it is composed of 
1 atom sulph. acid, 5 
1 " prot. ox. mang. 4.5 
4^ " water, 5.0625 
The third crystallizes in small oblique prisms, with angles of 148° and 
30°. This is the usual form ; it is composed of 
1 atom sulph. acid, 5 
1 " prot. ox. mang. 4.5 
5 " water, 5.62 
Mr. Thompson has tried, during many years, the use of this salt in the 
infirmary of Glascow, and has found that when administered in the same 
dose as the sulphate of soda or magnesia, he obtained the same results. 
It can be obtained recent by treating with water the residuum left when 
chlorine is fabricated. It remains to be determined whether the medicinal 
properties of this salt merit the attention of the physician. Mr. Thomp- 
son has experimented with it solely as a purgative, but it is known, from 
the observations of Dr. John Cowper, that iis metallic base has an espe- 
cial action upon the animal economy ; thus he has seen many workmen 
employed in a manufactory where bleaching powder was prepared on a 
large scale, the base of which is the protoxide of manganese, suffer from 
symptoms of lead colic, &c. And besides these, the experiments of 
Gmelin have shown that manganese, under the form of sulphate and 
manganesic acid, is a weak poison for dogs and cats, producing inflam- 
mation of the stomach, of the duodenum and liver. 
Journ. de Pharmacie. 
