78 
MISCELLANY. 
an emulsion prepared with the fresh seeds of the Ricinu3 communis, 
which go altogether to support this opinion"; because with two drams 
and a half (10 grammes) of the seeds deprived of their envelope an 
emetico cathartic effect was produced which continued during three days, 
without opiates, cool effervescing draught, or cataplasms being able to 
subdue it. An emulsion prepared with seventy-five grains (5 grammes) 
caused twenty-eight vomitings and eighteen alvine evacuations. 
Finally with a third emulsion containing only (1 gramme) 15| grains 
of the seeds, the emeiico-cathaitic effect was yet very marked. 
M. Mialhe concludes from these facts: 
1st. That the oleo-resinous principle found by M. Soubeiran in the seeds 
of the Ricinus exists but in very minute proportion in the oil of these 
seeds, whilst it is found wholly in the emulsion; 
2d. That the castor oil seeds of France contain a large proportion of 
the emetico-cathartic principle proper to a great number of the plants 
of the family Euphorbiacese ; 
3d. That an emulsion of the seeds of the castor oil plant prepared 
with only 20, 30, or 50, centigrammes (about 8 grains) of the seeds, 
constitutes perhaps the most agreeable purgative to the taste, of all 
those now in use, if the emetic action of this emulsion ceases when the 
dose of the seeds is properly diminished. Although this last peculiarity 
has not yet been proven by clinical observation it is probable that it is 
real, because the active principle of the Ricinus communis is analogous 
if not nearly identical with that of the croton oil. Now it is said 
that this last oil, which is simply purgative in doses of one drop, becomes 
emetico-cathartic by increasing this small dose, — Uabeille Med, from 
Bull, de Ther. 
Purification of Naphtha. — Dissolve 15 drams of chromate of potassa 
in 30 drams of water, place the solution in a large bottle containing two 
pounds of colored naphtha. Agitate the mixture several times, every 
day for a month and keep it in a light place. At the end of this time 
the naphtha is no longer red, and the resinous and soft portion is deposi- 
ted at the bottom with the solution of chromate of potassa. By decan- 
ting with a syphon the naphtha is obtained perfectly white, without 
odour, and deprived of its impurities. — Uabeille Med. from Echo du 
Monde Savant, 
Purification of Linseed Oil. — Take two pounds of protosulphate of 
iron, dissolve it in six pints of rain water, and throw the solution in a 
large bottle already containing the linseed oil. The mixture is put 
in a light place, and agitated once or twice a day, during 4 or 6 weeks. 
After this time the linseed oil is perfectly purified and white; all its mu- 
cilage and vegetable albumen is precipitated in the solution of sul- 
