374 
Varieties, 
f  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
I    Aug.  1, 1871. 
became,  by  the  use  of  this  cement,  perfectly  serviceable  in  the  transportation 
of  oil.  Pasteboard  treated  therewith  receives  the  appearance  and  strength  of 
wood.  Most  of  the  wooden  public  buildings  of  China  are  painted  with  schio- 
liao,  which  gives  them  an  unpleasant  reddish  appearance,  but  adds  to  their 
durability.  This  cement  was  tried  in  the  Austrian  department  of  Agriculture, 
and  by  the  "  Vienna  Association  of  Industry,"  and  in  both  cases  the  statements 
of  Dr.  Scherzer  were  found  to  be  strictly  accurate.  It  is  prepared  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner  :  To  three  parts  of  fresh-beaten  blood  are  added  four  parts  of 
slaked  lime,  and  a  little  alum  ;  a  thin,  pasty  mass  is  produced,  which  can  be 
Bsed  immediately.  Objects  which  are  to  be  made  specially  water-proof  are 
painted  by  the  Chinese  twice,  or  at  the  most  three  times.  This  cement  is  not 
used  for  such  purposes  in  this  country  ;  but  it  certainly  deserves  attention,  as 
it  is  the  cheapest  really  effectual  means  of  rendering  wood  and  other  materials 
perfectly  water-proof. —  Technologist,  June,  1871. 
Closing  of  Pharmacies  in  Italy. — At  the  inspection  of  pharmacies  in  the 
province  of  Naples,  several  establishments  were  closed  by  the  authorities  in 
consequence  of  not  having  on  hand  all  the  medicines  required  by  law,  and  on 
account  of  keeping  adulterated  articles. — Pharm.  Zeitung,  N.  45. 
Iodoform  Ointment. — In  the  Boston  City  Hospital,  iodoform  ointment  in 
connection  with  iodide  of  potassium  is  extensively  and  successfully  used  in  the 
treatment  of  syphilitic  ulcers  and  rupia.     Dr.  William   Ingalls,  attending 
surgeon,  advocates  this  formula  in  two  obstinate  cases  under  his  care : 
K.    lodoformi  ^ss. 
Spts.  vini.  rect.  q.s. 
Adipis  suill.      ^vijss.  M. 
—  Chicago  Med.  Exam.,  from  Boston  Med.  and  Surg.  Journal. 
The  Effect  of  Climate  and  Soil  on  Plants. — As  an  example  of  the  effect  of 
a  tropical  climate  and  soil  on  British  cultivated  plants  and  their  products,  may 
be  mentioned  the  fact  of  the  introduction  of  some  peppermint  plants  from  the 
Mitcham  fields  into  a  plantation  at  Singapore.  After  being  planted  in  their 
new  tropical  home  in  a  situation  fully  exposed  to  the  sun  they  grew  very  well, 
but  not  to  the  height  they  grow  in  this  country ;  moreover,  they  refused  to 
flower,  and  almost  as  soon  as  they  had  arrived  at  full  growth  they  dried  up, 
having  an  appearance  of  being  burnt.  They  were  also  found  to  yield  not  more 
than  half  the  usual  quantity  of  essential  oil,  and  that  of  a  dark  claret  color  and 
of  an  inferior  odor. — Pharm.  Journ.  and  Trans.,  July  1,  1871,  from  Gardeners* 
Chronicle. 
Posture  of  the  Head  in  Sleeping. — It  is  often  a  question  among  people  who 
are  unacquainted  with  anatomy  and  physiology,  whether  lying  with  head  ex- 
alted or  on  a  level  with  the  body  is  the  more  unwholesome.  Most,  consulting 
their  own  case  on  this  point,  argue  in  favor  of  that  which  they  prefer.  Now, 
although  many  delight  in  bolstering  up  their  heads  at  night  and  sleep  soundly 
without  injury,  yet  we  declare  it  to  be  a  dangerous  habit.  The  vessels  in  which 
