MISCELLANY. 
347 
Researches into the Nature and Properties of the Compound formed by 
Albumen and the Bichloride of Mercury. — When albumen mixed with water 
is added to a solution of corrosive sublimate, a precipitate is obtained 
which no longer possesses the poisonous properties of the latter, as has 
been proved by M. Orfila. With regard to the composition of this preci- 
pitate, however, chemists are still undetermined. Some authors consider 
it as a combination of the protochloride of mercury, with the altered 
albumen. 
M. Lassaigne, on the contrary, concludes from his experiments, 1. That 
the albumen and fibrine unite with the corrosive sublimate without decom- 
posing it. 2. That the insoluble compounds which result from this com- 
bination, are soluble in the chlorides, bromides and iodides of the alkaline 
metals; which circumstance should induce those who administer albumen 
as an antidote to corrosive sublimate, to bring about a speedy evacuation 
of the compound formed, in order to avoid the risk of a re-solution of it, by 
the chloride of sodium contained in the stomach. 3. That in the com- 
pound thus formed, 10 atoms of albumen are combined with 1 atom of 
bichloride of mercury, or albumen, 93.55 ; bichloride, 6.45. 4. That in 
the preservation of animal substances by corrosive sublimate, a similar 
combination takes place between this salt and the albumen and fibrine of 
the organic tissue. Journal de Chemie Medicale. 
Deaths from Morisotfs Pills. — Our late English journals contain a num- 
ber of cases in which death has followed the administration of this quack 
panacea. One of the agents of Morison, a certain Frederick Salmon, was 
tried in April last for manslaughter, and convicted ; but recommended by 
the jury to mercy, as he was not the compounder but vender only of the 
pills. He was nevertheless sentenced to pay a fine of 200/., (about 900 
dollars,) and to be confined in Newgate until the same be paid. A report 
of the trial, with the sentence of the Recorder, is contained in the London 
Medical Gazette of April 9th and 10th last. 
Amer. Jour. Med. Sci. 
Adulteration of White Lead. — The large quantities of sulphate of barytes 
imported into France, principally for the purpose of mixing with white 
lead, has induced us to point out the mode in which this adulteration can 
be detected, and the relative proportions of the two articles determined. 
This method is based on the solubility of carbonate of lead in nitric 
acid, and the insolubility of the barytic salt in the same menstruum. One 
hundred parts of the white lead suspected to contain barytes, is to be finely 
pulverized and dried ; the latter precaution is necessary, as what is termed 
dry white lead contains more or less moisture; from actual experiments 
made in 1835 on six different specimens, it was found that one contained 
of water, two yf-^p two T | ¥ , and one T J^« The dried lead is then 
