^""MaT'isso^'"' }  Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals,  257 
obtained  as  a  residue  3*2  powdered  mustard,  deprived  of  its  oil,  while 
the  decanted  solution  evaporated  left  a  soft  residue,  which,  when 
treated  with  acetic  ether,  yielded  0*167  caoutchouc  and  0*5  fatty  oil, 
thus  proving  that  the  powdered  mustard  used  contained  13  5  percent, 
objectionable  fatty  oil,  which,  in  connection  with  the  caoutchouc, 
increases  the  flexibility  and  adhesiveness  of  the  plaster,  but  decreases 
its  rubefacient  power  and  promotes  rancidity.  Dietrich's  improved 
method  of  preparation  is  not  published  by  Jungclaussen,  but  probably 
differs  from  the  American  only  in  using  mustard  deprived  of  all  its 
fixed  oil. — Ihid.,^  Feb.  25,  1880,  p.  117. 
Dr.  Heller's  Caustic  Pencils  consist  of  long,  thin  sticks  of  lunar 
caustic,  encased  in  wood  ;  they  look  like  ordinary  lead  pencils,  and  are 
resharpened  like  the  latter  whenever  the  point  is  worn  off.  A  metal 
cap  is  used  for  protecting  the  point,  when  carried.  The  pencils  are 
well  adapted  for  cauterizing  the  throat,  whenever  the  application  of 
nitrate  of  silver  is  desired. — Ibld.^  Feb.  11,  1880,  p.  86. 
Artificial  Karlsbad  Salt  is  made  by  Dr.  Brunnengraeber  by  mining 
100  parts  of  sodium  sulphate,  70  parts  of  sodium  bicarbonate,  40  parts 
of  sodium  chloride  and  5  parts  of  potassium  sulphate,  all  coarsely 
powdered.  This  mixture  is  dispensed  in  bottles  having  a  hollow 
wooden  stopper,  which,  holding  just  6  grams  (which  is  sufficient  for 
making  i  liter  of  Karlsbad  Water),  serves  as  a  handy  measure  for  the 
consumer. — Pharm.  Centralh,^  Feb.  26,  1880,  p.  73. 
Karlsbad  Salt  (see  also  "Amer.  Jour.  Pharm."  1878,  p.  474;  1879, 
p.  454;  1880,  p.  133). — Genuine  Karlsbad  Salt  contains,  according  to 
Ragsby :  Traces  of  potassium  sulphate,  85  parts  of  crystallized  sodium 
sulphate,  15  parts  of  crystallized  sodium  carbonate  (probably  sesqui- 
carbonate),  and  0*4  parts  of  sodium  chloride. — Artificial  Karlsbad  Salt 
is  made  by  Schlickum^  in  close  imitation  to  the  above  by  dissolving  in  12 
parts  of  lukewarm  water  :  i  part  of  sodium  chloride,  i  part  of  sodium 
bicarbonate,  ji  part  of  neutral  sodium  carbonate,  and  6  parts  of  crys- 
tallized sodium  sulphate,  decanting  the  clear  liquid,  setting  aside  at  8^  to 
io°C.  for  crystallization,  and  stirring  several  times  while  crystallizing  j 
on  decanting  the  first  mother-liquor,  dissolving  in  it  3  parts  of  Glauber 
salt,  and  again  allowing  to  crystallize,  a  second  yield  is  obtained. — - 
Pharm.  Ztg^  Feb.  14,  1880,  p.  93. 
Pure  Hydriodic  Acid. — C.  Winkler  dissolves  iodine  in  carbon 
bisulphide  in  a  tall  glass  cylinder,  adds  sufficient  water,  which  forms  a 
distinct  layer  on  top  of  the  deep  violet-colored  solution  of  iodine,  and 
17 
