MISCELLANY. 
263 
excellent quality. The proportions are 40 to 50 of the mixture to 50 of 
soap materials. Journ. Frank. Inst, and Land. Mech. Mag. 
Rhubarb. — In a letter addressed by M. Paravey to the Academy of 
Sciences, on Chinese descriptions of the plants furnishing rhubarb, he 
states that it is evident from these descriptions and the figures given, that 
this drug is derived from other species besides the R. undulatum and R. 
palmatum. He also says that, their books never recommend the Rhubarb 
in a crude state, and hence use it as a tonic rather than a purgative. 
Journ. de Pharm. 
Infusion of Rhubarb. — The roots are to be well contused and placed in 
a solution of carbonate of potassa in cold distilled water. The vessel 
should then be introduced into a steam apparatus, and the contents allow- 
ed to digest at the temperature of 1892°. The infusion is to be filtered 
and after tjie addition of a certain quantity of cinnamon water, placed in a 
cool situation. This infusion contains very little starch and will keep 
longer than when prepared with boiling water. Rec. Gen. Sci. 
Extract and Tincture of Rhubarb and Extract of Gentian. — It is difficult 
to clarify the aqueous extract of rhubarb. Geisler recommends digesting 
the entire root of the rhubarb with water, and setting it aside in a close 
vessel exposed to the action of the steam. The extractive parts dissolve 
completely, the solution becomes clear, and the root consists only of 
fibres. The specific gravity of the preparation thus obtained is 2.048, 
and a pound of Rheum muscovit. gives 8| ounces of an extract of the con- 
sistence of pills. In the same way he has prepared extract of gentian. 
Six pounds of Rad. gentian, gave four pounds of a dark yellow soluble 
extract. Records of General Science, Feb. 1836. 
Emmenagogue Properties of the Aconite. — Dr. West, of Soultz, extols, 
in an article in the Archives Gen., August, 1835, the remedial properties 
of the aconite in amenorrhcea, arising from chronic engorgement or spas- 
modic condition of the uterus. He administers the aqueous extract, com- 
mencing eight days before the expected period of menstruation, in doses 
of a grain, and gradually augmenting the quantity until eight grains are 
taken daily at the ordinary day of menstruation. Amer. Jour. Med. Sci. 
Fumigations in Hooping Cough.— Dr. Dohm, of Heide, in the Dutchy 
of Holstein, has accidentally discovered a remedy for hooping cough that 
promises to be of considerable use in that too often obstinate and danger- 
ous disease. Two of his own children, a boy and a girl, (the former one, 
and the latter three, years old,) had been suffering from hooping cough 
for between two and three months ; during which time several remedies, 
