PHARMACEUTICAL  NOTICES. 
407 
Dissolve  the  soap  in  the  alcohol  by  the  means  of  a  gentle  heat, 
and  filter  if  not  perfectly  transparent,  then  add  the  oil  of  lavand. 
and  the  iodide  of  potassium  dissolved  in  the  water,  mix  and 
bottle  while  warm ;  the  strength  of  this  liniment  is  about  one 
drachm  to  the  ounce. 
Precipitated  Tartar  Emetic. 
The  importance  of  a  very  finely  powdered  tartar  emetic  is 
doubtless  impressed  on  the  mind  of  every  careful  reader  of  the 
pages  of  this  journal,  and  the  trouble  of  reducing  it  to  this  fine 
state  very  strongly  impressed  upon  the  memories  of  some  of  the 
younger  readers  on  whom  this  duty  devolved.  Yet  so  unpleasant 
is  .this  work  that  the  tendency  is  very  strong  to  perform  it 
slightly.  The  following  process  obviates  this  difficulty  and 
yields  a  product  so  unexceptionable  that  its  publication,  it  is 
hoped,  will  lead  to  a  very  general  adoption. 
Boil  four  ounces  of  tartar  emetic  in  four  times  its  weight  of 
water  ;  when  entirely  dissolved,  throw  the  solution  into  six  pints 
of  95  per  cent,  alcohol,  when  the  tartar  emetic  will  be  precipi- 
tated in  a  state  of  extreme  division. 
Precipitated  Deutoxide  of  Mercury. 
The  directions  of  our  Pharmacopoeia  enjoin  great  care  in  re- 
ducing the  red  oxide  of  mercury  to  a  very  fine  powder  ;  in  fact, 
several  medical  friends,  whose  speciality  was  ophthalmic  practice, 
have  assured  me  of  their  frequent  disuse  of  the  ointment,  owing 
to  its  faulty  preparation. 
The  preparation  is  rendered  uniform,  smooth  and  satisfactory 
by  employing  the  product  of  the  following  formula  : 
Take  of  Bichloride  of  mercury  550  grs. 
Caustic  Potash  in  solution    116  grs. 
Dissolve  the  chloride  in  one  pint  of  boiling  water,  and  pour 
the  solution  into  the  solution  of  caustic  potash  diluted  with  two 
pints  of  water,  wash  with  water  till  there  is  no  taste,  and  dry 
on  a  porous  tile  ;  the  powder  is  smooth,  dense  and  well  suited 
for  the  purpose  of  admixture  with  fatty  matters. 
Philadelphia,  Sept.,  1858. 
