388  Lactic  Acid.  {k*k$lm£*- 
a  syrup  of  the  iodide  of  iron  of  any  required  strength.  It  may  be 
administered  in  combination  with  compound  tincture  of  cinchona  and 
compound  tincture  of  gentian,  or  it  may  really,  when  added,  put  some 
virtue  in  the  numerous  tonic  elixirs  that  are  being  prescribed  so 
largely  throughout  the  country. 
A  formula  is  appended  for  an  elixir  which  has  acquired  some  sale 
in  this  city.  The  writer  does  not  wish  to  be  considered  as  endorsing 
it,  however. 
Elixir  of  Grentian  with  Chloride  of  Iron. 
Tincture  of  chloride  of  iron  (new)      ...        6  fluid-drachms. 
Tincture  of  cardamom,         .        .        .        .        .    \  fluid-ounce. 
Eluid  extract  of  gentian,         ....        3  fluid-drachms. 
Alcohol,     ........    2  fluid-ounces. 
Oil  of  cinnamon  (true),     .....        1  drop. 
"  coriander  (fresh)    .        .        .        .        .        .1  drop. 
"  anise,        .......        1  drop. 
*k  orange,         .......    3  drops. 
Simple  syrup,  ......        3  fluid-ounces. 
Water,  sufficient  to  make  16  fluid-ounces. 
Dissolve  the  oils  in  the  alcohol,  and  having  mixed  the  other  ingre- 
dients together,  incorporate  all  thoroughly,  adding  sufficient  water  to 
make  one  pint,  and  filter.  Dose  :  A  dessertspoonful.  This  prepara- 
tion contains  five  minims  tincture  of  the  chloride  of  iron  in  each  dose  ; 
enough  gentian  is  present  to  flavor  the  elixir  somewhat,  and  give  it 
part  of  a  name,  and  not  enough  to  injure  the  greatest  desideratum — 
a  pleasant  taste. 
ON  LACTIC  ACID. 
By  Charles  Rice. 
The  quality  of  lactic  acid  of  commerce,  has,  during  the  last  few 
years,  undergone  a  decided  improvement,  owing  to  an  increased  de- 
mand and  to  better  care  in  its  preparation.  While  it  was  formerly 
no  uncommon  occurrence  to  obtain  a  highly  colored,  ropy  and  opales- 
cent acid,  sometimes  of  a  strong  butyraceous  odor,  and  evidently  of 
considerable  age,  we  now  generally  get  a  good  article  at  about  half 
the  former  price.  The  extensive  and  constantly  increasing  use  of 
lactates  and  lactophosphates  has  been  the  main  cause  to  bring  about 
this  result.    But  even  now  we  occasionally  meet  with  an  acid  which, 
