J224 ON THE MANUFACTURE OF CHLOROFORM. 
ART. XLIV.— OBSERVATIONS ON THE MANUFACTURE OF 
: , ,- CHLOROFORM. 
By Kessler, Larocque, and others. 
' But a short time has elapsed since chloroform was con- 
sidered a chemical curiosity, of no value in a practical 
sense, and only interesting to the philosophical enquirer. 
The observations of Dr. Simpson having brought it into 
notice as a remedial agent, its other properties have been 
more or less developed, and notwithstanding, at present, its 
character as an anesthetic and sedative is less brilliant than 
at first it appeared, the world will, at least, have to thank 
Dr. S. for bringing it into notice, if it is only as a solvent. 
Chloroform appears to possess remarkable powers as a 
solvent for the carbohydrogen substances of the caoutchouc 
class, including gutta percha, which it dissolves with perfect 
ease, as well as gumlac, copal, &c., and there cannot be a 
doubt that this power will render it of great value as a men- 
struum, in very many processes of manufacture. 
The solution of purified gutta percha in chloroform, has 
some pretensions to a plastic application in surgery. When 
applied to the skin, a few minutes suffices to obtain a uni- 
form coating of the dissolved substance, of any required 
thickness, and from which the whole of the chloroform has 
evaporated. The various uses to which gutta percha has 
already been applied, will be greatly extended by this 
chloroformic solution, which may be applied as a varnish 
to cloth, paper, or other tissues, rendering them impervious 
to water, and yet flexible. According to MM. Larocque 
and Huraut, chloroform also dissolves bromine, iodine, the 
essential oils, the vegetable alkalies, and the fats. 
Its use in the arts, however, to any extent, will depend 
mainly on the cheapness of production to which its manu- 
