MISCELLANY. 
83 
then filtered and slowly evaporated ; this will afford a crystalline mass, 
corresponding to three-fourths of the quinia employed. When dried, it is 
of a greenish yellow colour, and very bitter taste, first giving the sensa- 
tion of quinia, and then of hydrocyanic acid. It is partially decomposed 
by cold water, and completely so by hot; it then forms two salts, the one 
soluble, the other insoluble. It is very soluble in boiling alcohol. 
Annali universali de Med. 
Biniodide of Mercury. — Dr. Inglis says that the biniodide falls in the form 
of a rich red powder when solutions of the bichloride of mercury and hy- 
driodate of potassa are mixed together, and in this form it is generally 
seen. He has, however, he states, procured it in pretty large crystalline 
cubes, by the following process. He found that it was dissolved in great 
abundance in a boiling solution of hydriodate of zinc. He therefore added 
the biniodide till no more could be taken up, and then placed the satu- 
rated solution under the exhausted receiver of an air pump; in a short 
time the biniodide began to be deposited, and soon assumed the form of 
large regular cubes. The hydriodate of zinc that remained was capable 
of dissolving a fresh quantity of biniodide, or of re-dissolving that which 
was crystallised from it; the crystals contain no zinc. 
Lond. & Edin. Philos. Mag. Jan. 1836. 
Ointment for the cure of Itch. — Dr. Emery highly extols the following 
ointment in the treatment of itch. Take of brown soap one ounce, table 
salt half an ounce, sulphur half an ounce, alcohol one drachm, vinegar 
two drachms, chloride of lime half a drachm. One-fourth to be used in 
friction morning and evening. It has the advantage of never causing any 
accidents or anomalous eruptions ; of not soiling the clothes ; of not be- 
ing unpleasant; of curing the disease in a short time, and of being very 
cheap. JLmer. Journ. Med. Sci. & Bull. Gen. de Therap. 
Ointment for enlarged Tonsils — Dr. Cerchiari considers the following 
ointment as very efficacious in the cure of enlarged tonsils. R Iodin. pur. 
9i, ung. Rosar. ^i. M. To be applied to the tonsils morning and even- 
ing - , by means of a small brush. By the end of two months these glands 
will, he asserts, under this application, return to their normal size. It 
is necessary that the inflammation should be entirely subdued before re- 
course is had to this ointment. 
Ibid and Journ. de Conn. Med. Prac. 
Lacker for Tin. — Take eight ounces of amber, two ounces of gum lac, 
melt them in separate vessels, and mix them well together ; then add 
half a pound of drying linseed oil. Into a pint vial put half a pint of 
spirits of turpentine, and digest in it a little saffron ; when the colour is 
