3o8 
Laboratory  Notes. 
(  Am,  Jour.  Pharm, 
t       July,  1875. 
he  was  prescribing,  and  the  option  of  varying  the  amount  of  any  of  the 
constituents,  if  it  should  seem  desirable.  The  proportion  of  bromine 
and  of  iodine  might  be  somewhat  increased  without  rendering  the 
prescription  a  very  expensive  one  ;  as  it  is,  five  cents  a  bottle  would  be 
about  a  reasonable  price  for  materials.  Whatever  is  paid  over  and 
above  this  sum  must  be  considered  a  tribute  to  the  genius  of  the  intel- 
lect that  originated  a  combination  of  such  extraordinary  merit  as  to 
draw  from  reputable  (?)  physicians  all  over  the  land  testimonials  to  its 
worth. 
The  elixir  of  iodo-bromide  of  calcium  compound  contains  the  same 
ingredients  as  the  solution  of  ditto  ditto,  and  apparently  in  about  the 
same  relative  proportions.  We  have  not  made,  however,  a  quantita- 
tive analysis,  being  content  with  a  demonstration  of  the  fact  that  the 
amount  of  iodine  and  bromine  in  this  preparation  is  not  greater  than  in 
the  simple  solution.  The  principal  difi-erence  seems  to  be  that  this 
contains  a  relatively  small  proportion  of  the  mineral  ingredients,  with 
the  addition  of  sugar,  licorice,  sassafras,  and  other  flavoring  ingredients, 
and,  possibly,  of  some  sarsaparilla,  cundurango,  or  other  powerful  veg- 
etable alterative. 
Bromo-  Chloralum. — We  have  long  ago  expressed  the  opinion  that  the 
preparation  sold  under  this  rather  pretentious  name  is  essentially  a 
chloride  of  aluminum.  The  following  are  the  results  of  an  analysis 
sufficiently  exact  for  anv  practical  purpose  : 
One  hundred  parts  of  bromo-chloralum  contain  : 
Calcium, 
.  2*11 
Chlorine, 
.  io'84 
Aluminum, 
1-84 
Bromine, 
0*25 
Magnesium, 
O'OJ 
Sulphuric  acid,  . 
0*09 
Sodium,  . 
0-43 
Silica, 
not  estimated. 
Potassium,  . 
a  trace. 
Organic  matter,  . 
a  trace. 
Iron, 
.  a  trace. 
One  fluidounce  therefore  contains,  approximately  : 
Chloride  of  aluminum,  ,  .  .  .  -452  grains. 
Chloride  of  calcium,        .  .  .  .  .  28  " 
Bromide  of  magnesium,         .  .  .  .  .  " 
Chloride  of  sodium,         .....  5  " 
Sulphate  of  calcium,  .  .  .  .  ,  .      i  " 
Total  mineral  constituents,  .  .  .  .  82  " 
Fluid  Lightning. — Under  this  name  there  is  sold,  at  the  exorbitant 
price  of  a  dollar  for  a  half-ounce  vial,  a  preparation  reputed  to  have 
extraordinary  virtue  in  subduing  pain.  A  few  drops  of  the  liquid  are 
placed  in  the  palm  of  one  hand,  and  applied  over  the  seat  of  pain,  while 
