274 
VARIETIES. 
weeks  ago,  another  case  presented  itself,  of  a  similar  character. 
I  applied  the  same  remedy.  The  scab,  however,  has  not  yet 
separated,  but  I  fully  expect  the  result  to  be  identical  with  the 
former.  The  advantage  of  this  caustic  is,  that  it  leaves  no  scar, 
and  does  not  destroy  the  hair-bulbs  when  applied  to  the  scalp. 
Its  influence  is  undoubtedly  owing  to  the  readiness  with  which  it 
parts  with  its  oxygen,  yielding  half  of  its  oxygen  when  applied 
to  organic  substances,  passing  to  the  state  of  green  sesquioxide 
of  chromium — this  being  the  most  powerful  oxydiser  we  possess. 
Its  preparation  is  very  simple.  Make  a  saturated  solution  of 
bichromate  of  potash,  and  add  strong  sulphuric  acid  as  long  as 
any  precipitate  of  chromic  acid  falls ;  pour  off  the  supernatant 
liquor,  and  dry  the  residue  on  a  tile  or  brick.  I  prefer  filtering 
through  a  glass  funnel  partially  filled  with  asbestos.  In  prepar- 
ing it,  caution  must  be  used  not  to  allow  any  organic  substance, 
as  paper  or  wood,  to  come  in  contact  with  it,  as  instant  decom- 
position ensues.  The  solution  I  employ  is  one  part  chromic  acid 
and  one  part  water. — London  Chemist,  March,  1858,  from  New 
Orleans  Med.  News,  Nov.,  1857. 
Meth  od  of  purifying  Castor  Oil  of  Commerce.  By  M.  Pavesi.  Take 
1000  parts  of  the  oil  to  be  treated,  25  parts  of  purified  bone  black,  10 
parts  calcined  magnesia.  Mix  these  carefully  in  a  convenient  vessel  of  glass 
or  tinned  iron,  and  let  it  stand  during  three  days,  with  occasional  agitation, 
and  filter  through  paper  or  felt.  Thus  obtained,  the  oil  is  less  viscid,  limpid, 
nearly  colorless,  of  a  sweet  taste,  inodorous,  very  soluble  in  alcohol,  and 
bears  an  intense  cold. — Repertoire  de  Pharmacie,  Sept.,  1857. 
Ancient  Quack  Medicines. — It  will  appear  from  the  following,  copied  from 
the  records  of  Massachusetts,  that  the  early  fathers  of  the  commonwealth 
were  more  severe  upon  quacks  than  we  are :  "  Nich.  Knopp  is  fined  five 
shillings  for  takeing  upon  him  to  cure  the  scurvey  by  a  water  of  no  worth 
nor  value,  which  he  sold  at  a  very  dear  rate  ;  to  be  imprisoned  till  he  pay 
his  fine,  or  give  security  for  it,  or  else  to  be  whipped,  and  shall  be  liable 
to  any  man's  action  of  whom  he  has  received  money  for  the  said  water." 
— Med.  and  Surg.  Reporter. 
