ON CHLOROFORM. 
95 
method of ascertaining its purity. By mixing equal parts of 
concentrated sulphuric acid and distilled water, a liquid is 
obtained; which, on cooling, indicates 40° on the areometer 
(spec. grav. 1.35.) One drop of chloroform poured into 
this liquid sinks to the bottom. This is a very simple test 
and easily practised, wliich I hope will prevent the sale of 
chloroform mixed with alcohol. — Chtm. Gaz,from. Comp- 
les Rendus. 
ART. XXIIL— ON CHLOROFORM. 
By the Editor of the Pharmaceutical Journal. 
M. MiALHE, in a communication recently made to the 
Academy of Sciences of Paris, states as the result of his 
researches : — 
1. That pure chloroform, applied to the skin or mucous 
membrane, produces' simple redness without cauterization 
or vesication. It acquires, however, the caustic properties 
when mixed with a small quantity of absolute alcohol. 
2. That the chloroform used in medical practice which 
has caused vesication of the lips or nostril, with irritation of 
the bronchial tubes, could not have been pure. , 
*' 3. That this chloroform contains a certain quantity of 
anhydrous alcohol. The presence of this liquid in chloro- 
form was suspected by MM. Soubeiran and Gerdy, and 
it has been demonstrated by analysis. The alcohol may 
act by com.bining with and coagulating the albuminous 
fluids of the body, and thus giving rise to the local eflects 
of irritation. 
" Hence, before using chloroform vapour in surgical prac- 
