174 
MISCELLANY. 
The rectified oil was dissolved in potash, and the free creosote separated 
by means of a slight excess of diluted phosphoric acid; again distilled, 
and on the rejection of the water which first passed over, pure creosote 
was obtained. Journ. de Pharm. 
Ointment for the Itch. — Dr. Lison, physician of the Hospital of Donzi, 
speaks in high terms of the efficacy of the following ointment in itch : 
R. Litharge, 
Olive oil, ^iv. 
Mix and heat over a moderate fire, stirring continually, till the ointment 
acquires a slightly blackish colour. 
Journ. Gen. de Therap. and Jim. Journ. Med. Sci. 
Syrup of Punch. — 
Simple syrup, lbs. xxiv. 
Evaporate rapidly to 20 pounds, and prepare an infusion of 
Green tea, jfij. in 
Boiling water, §xvj. 
Mix this infusion with the syrup in a closed vessel, and add 
Rum, lb. vj. 
Alcohol 36°, lb. ij. 
Citric acid, ^i. dissolved in water, 3iv. 
Tinct. of lemon peel, 3iss. 
Mix, and when cold, put in bottles and keep in cool place. 
Journ. de Conn. Usuelles. 
Action of Nitric and Sulphuric Acids on some Organic Substances. — M. 
Couerbe observes, that, struck with the analogous properties of narcotine 
and thebaine, (paramorphia) he endeavoured to discover what were their 
differential characters. He found that narcotine, when placed in contact 
with cold nitric or sulphuric acid, underwent no change of colour, but that 
when it was subjected to the action of a mixture of these acids, it assumed 
a beautiful blood-red tint. This is so sensible a test, says he, that with 
the assistance of narcotine, the presence of a single drop of nitric acid can 
be detected in one or even two pounds of sulphuric acid. He satisfied 
himself that this production of colour was owing to the disengagement of 
oxygen by the reciprocal action of the two acids, and that the same phe- 
nomenon can be produced by passing oxygen through a mixture of narco- 
tine and sulphuric acid. By employing the protoxide of azote instead of 
oxygen, an analogous result is obtained, but the colour is less vivid, 
whilst with atmospheric air, the reverse is the case. M. Couerbe sub- 
jected the immediate principles of opium to the action of his new reagent, 
by violently agitating six grains of each substance with above half an 
ounce of the acid mixture, with the following results: 
