TARTRATE OP POTASSA AND MAGNESIA. 
303 
crystalline fracture, is slightly elastic under the pestle, but 
easily reduced to powder. It is readily soluble in 8 or 10 
parts of warm water, with the addition of a little lemon 
juice. The following formula for its administration is sug- 
gested, viz : 
Borotartrate of potassa and magnesia . 30 parts. 
Citric acid . . . . 2 " 
Aromatized syrup of lemons . . 60 " 
Warm water .... 300 " 
If the proportion of salt is increased, or that of the water 
diminished, the solution is less complete. 
Mr. Renault, of Paris, who suggests the use of the ace- 
tate of magnesia, gives the following formula for its prepa- 
ration, viz.: Dissolve 120 parts of carbonate of magnesia 
in a sufficient quantity of acetic acid and evaporate till the 
whole weighs 300 parts. In this state it is a syrupy liquid, 
which has, weight for weight, the same magnesian strength 
as the sulphate of that base. 
M. Renault proposes that one ounce of this solution (by 
weight) be mixed with three ounces of syrup of oranges, to 
constitute the weaker, and one ounce and a half of the so- 
lution to three ounces of syrup for the stronger solution. 
The great deliquescence of the salt prevents its being 
kept joer se, whilst its extreme solubility in alcohol as well 
as water, enables it to be used in tinctures, elixirs, &c., as 
well as in watery solutions. 
The reporters conclude by stating, that the salts in ques- 
tion possess decided purgative properties, though like all the 
salts of a similar character already employed, are not con 
stant in their effects ; that their taste' is easily masked so 
as not to be repugnant to the sick, and that they may be 
advantageously introduced into therapeutics. 
