A  VISIT  TO  VESUVIUS. 
177 
by  filtration ;  in  either  instance  a  slight  excess  of  sulphate  of 
managanese  is  employed  to  insure  the  complete  decomposition  of 
the  calcic  and  plumbic  iodides. 
The  water  of  crystallization  in  sulphate  of  manganese  being 
variable,  Mr.  Laster  is  always  accustomed  to  dry  the  sulphate 
used  at  a  temperature  of  400°  ;  dried  at  this  temperature,  the 
preparation  has  a  uniform  constitution,  which  is  not  the  case 
when  the  crystallized  salt  is  employed. 
On  some  other  occasion  the  therapeutical  uses  of  this  and 
various  other  preparations  of  manganese  may  be  referred  to; 
but  I  would  remark  that  it  is  especially  in  case  of  poverty  of 
the  blood,  hypertrophy  of  the  spleen,  urethra  vaginal  catarrh, 
but  more  especially  when  in  combinations  with  iron,  that  benefit 
may  be  derived  from  the  exhibition  of  the  manganic  salts.  In 
strumous,  syphilitic,  or  cancerous  affection,  and  in  abnormal 
states  of  the  nervous  system  dependent  on  deprivation  of  the 
blood,  or  exhaustion  from  venereal  excesses,  the  syrup  of  the 
iodide  of  manganese  may  be  used  with  advantage. — Richmond 
Med.  Journ.,  Jan.  1868. 
A  VISIT  TO  VESUVIUS. 
Naples,  May,  1867. 
The  outline  of  Vesuvius  against  the  eastern  sky,  always  visible  from 
the  quays  of  Naples  when  not  obscured  by  clouds,  is  an  object  upon 
which  the  eye  of  the  traveller  rests  with  abiding  interest.  Much  as 
there  is  to  attract  in  other  directions,  this  historic  mountain  with  its  inci- 
dents is  the  leading  object  that  draws  so  many  to  this  populous  and  in- 
teresting city.  Seen  now  from  this  point,  the  mountain  rises  beyond  the 
bay  as  a  flattened  cone,  the  apex  of  which  has  been  removed  and  a  deep 
notch  cut  in  its  substance,  giving  it  the  appearance  of  a  double-headed 
mountain.  The  buildings  of  various  kinds  which  dot  its  base  are  very 
numerous,  and  it  is  said  that  a  population  of  70  to  80  thousand  domicile 
between  Portici  and  Castelamare  inclusive,  on  the  south-western  base  of 
the  mountain. 
It  having  been  determined  to  visit  Vesuvius  in  the  morning,  a  slight 
glance  at  some  points  of  its  history  will  aid  us  in  appreciating  its  features, 
which  we  are  able  to  give  from  the  excellent  account  of  Murray.  The 
first  eruption  of  Vesuvius  in  historic  times  was  in  the  year  A.  D.  79, 
during  the  reign  of  Titus.  It  was  recognized  by  the  ancients,  however, 
as  of  volcanic  nature,  and  various  traditions  regarding  it  existed.  Plu- 
12 
