Chapter II: SAPO MOLLIS. Soft Soap (8)

THE EVERLASTING PILL of the ancients consisted of _metallic_ Antimony,
which being slightly soluble in the gastric juice was supposed to
exert the property of purging as often as it was swallowed. This was
economy in right earnest, for a single pill would serve a whole family
during their lives, and might be transmitted as an heir-loom to their
posterity. We have heard of a Lady who having swallowed one of these
pills, became seriously alarmed at its not passing; upon sending
however for her physician, he consoled her with the assurance that it
had already passed through a hundred patients with the best effect.

Footnote 375:

The manner of doing it among the Turks, is described by Shaw and
Russel. Chateaubriand also remarks, “The women of Athens appear to me
smaller and less handsome than those of the Morea, their practice of
painting the orbits of the eyes blue, and the ends of the fingers red,
is disagreeable to the stranger.” Dr. Badham has also given us an
interesting note upon this subject in his learned Translation of
Juvenal. Sat. II. 1. 141. See also the present work, p. 49.

Footnote 376:

The Sulphuret of Antimony is an ingredient in SPILSBURY’S DROPS. See
Hydrargyri Oxy-murias. Dr. Duncan also observes that it seems to
constitute a quack remedy which has acquired some reputation in
Ireland for the cure of cancer, where it is used as an external
application to the sore.

Footnote 377:

This saline body was first made known by Adrian de Mynsicht in his
Thesaurus Medico-chymicus, published in 1631; although it appears
probable that the preparation was suggested by a treatise, entitled
“Methodus in Pulverem,” published in Italy in 1620. This book, written
by Dr. Cornachinus, gives an account of a method of preparing a powder
which had been invented by Dudley, Earl of Warwick, and which had
acquired considerable celebrity in Italy; this powder was composed of
Scammony, Sulphuret of Antimony, and Tarter, triturated together.

Footnote 378:

There is a Tartrate of Antimony, but it can scarcely be made to
crystallize; it easily assumes a gelatinous form; and it may be here
observed that Antimony is one of those metals whose oxides seem to
combine with difficulty, and to form compounds of little permanency
with acids, unless there be present at the same time an alkali or
earth; and their solutions, in most cases, yield, on dilution, a white
precipitate.

Footnote 379:

The compound of Tartarized Antimony and Bark, is said to purge, and to
constitute the “Bolus ad Quartanas” of the French physicians.

Footnote 380:

The Sugar is added with a view to prevent the ointment from becoming
rancid.

Footnote 381:

NORRIS’S DROPS. A solution of tartarized antimony in rectified spirit,
and disguised by the addition of some vegetable colouring matter. I am
credibly informed that the original recipe contained opium, but that
which I have examined, and which was procured from a respectable
agent, yielded no indications of its presence.

Footnote 382:

Hard water has a tendency to produce diseases in the spleen of certain
animals, especially sheep: this is the case in the eastern side of the
island of Minorca, as we are informed by Cleghorn. The mischievous
tendency of bad water, where it cannot be corrected by some chemical
process, would seem to be best counteracted by bitter vegetables.
Virey supposes that this circumstance first induced the Chinese to
infuse the leaves of the tea plant.

Footnote 383:

Alpini informs us that Elephantiasis is endemial in Egypt; Galen
ascribes it to the impure waters of the Nile, and Lucretius adopted
the same opinion.

“Est Elephas morbus, qui propter flumina Nili
Gignitur Ægypto in Medio.”

Footnote 384:

Dr. Percival observes that bricks harden the softest water, and give
it an aluminous impregnation; the common practice of lining wells with
them, is therefore very improper, unless they be covered with cement.

Footnote 385:

The same strumous affection occurs at Sumatra, where ice and snow are
never seen; while, on the contrary, the disease is quite unknown in
Chili and Thibet, although the rivers of these countries are chiefly
supplied by the melting of the snow with which the mountains are
covered. The trials of Captain Cook, in his voyage round the world,
prove the wholesomeness of _Ice water_ beyond a doubt; in the high
southern latitudes he found a salutary supply of fresh water in the
ice of the sea; “this melted ice,” says sir John Pringle, “was not
only sweet but soft, and so wholesome as to shew the fallacy of human
reasoning unsupported by experiments.”

Footnote 386:

I take this opportunity of observing that I have made analyses of
several of those springs in Cornwall, which have from time immemorial
enjoyed a reputation in the neighbourhood for curing diseases, amongst
which were the waters of Holywell, so named from its supposed virtues,
and those of Permiscen Bay, equally extolled for their medicinal
qualities. But I have only been able to detect minute quantities of
carbonate of lime, derived from infiltration through banks of
calcareous sand. See Transactions of the Royal Geological Society of
Cornwall, Vol. I.

Footnote 387:

See “Remarks on the Pump water of London,” by W. Heberden, M. D. in
the 1st. vol. of the Medical Transactions; also, Acad. Royale des
Scienc. 1700, Hist. pag. 58. Perrault Vitruve. L. VIII. c. 5.

Footnote 388:

I am informed by a respectable chemist in this town, that he sells a
large quantity of alum for this very purpose, as well as to publicans
for the sake of clearing their spirituous liquors; for the same end,
we are told, that the wine merchants in Paris put into each cask of
wine as much as a pound of alum.

Footnote 389:

This is particularly the case with respect to the water of the River
Thames; for as it contains but a small proportion of saline matter, it
is remarkably soft, although it holds suspended mud, and vegetable and
animal debris, which occasion it to undergo a violent change on being
kept: a large volume of carburetted and sulphuretted hydrogen gases is
evolved, and it becomes black and insufferably offensive; upon racking
it off however into large earthen vessels, and exposing it to the air,
it gradually deposits a quantity of black slimy matter, and becomes as
clear as crystal, and perfectly sweet and palatable, and is
exceedingly well adapted for sea store. “THE NEW RIVER WATER” contains
a small proportion of muriate of lime, carbonate of lime, and muriate
of soda; it differs also in its gaseous contents: 100 cubic inches of
New River Water contain 2·25 of carbonic acid, and 1·25 of common air,
whereas the water of the Thames contains rather a large quantity of
common air, and a smaller proportion of carbonic acid.

Footnote 390:

The law which determines such combinations has been investigated with
singular ingenuity and success by Dr. Murray, (Transactions of the
Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1816). Berthollet had already established
the important fact, that combinations are often determined by the
force of cohesion, in such a manner, that in principles acting on each
other, those on which this force operates most powerfully, in relation
to the fluid which is the medium of action, are combined together;
hence from a knowledge of the solubility of the compounds which
substances form, we may predict what combinations will be established
when they act on each other, those always combining which form the
least soluble compounds. It is for the extension of these views, and
for the useful application of them, that we are indebted to Dr.
Murray, who justly observes that if the force of cohesion can so far
modify chemical attraction, as to establish among compound salts
dissolved in any medium, those combinations whence the least soluble
compound are formed, we are entitled to conclude that the reverse of
this force, i. e. the power of a solvent, may produce the opposite
effects, or cause the very reverse of these combinations to be
established, so that in a concentrated medium the least soluble will
be formed, and in a dilute one, the more soluble compounds will be
established. Hence follows the simple rule by which the actual state
in which saline bodies exist in a solution may be determined, viz.
that in any fluid containing the elements of compound salts, the
binary compounds existing in it will be generally those which are most
soluble in that fluid, and the reverse combinations will only be
established by its concentration favouring the influence of cohesion.
It appears that by simply evaporating a saline solution we may produce
changes in its composition, and obtain products which never existed in
its original state of dilution; thus, suppose muriate of magnesia and
sulphate of soda to be dissolved in water, as is actually the case in
the water of the ocean, and the solution to be concentrated by
evaporation from heat; the combinations of sulphate of magnesia and
muriate of soda, being on the whole less soluble in water, this
circumstance of inferior solubility, or the force of cohesion thus
operating, actually determines the formation of these compounds; and
the production of sulphate of magnesia from the bittern is to be
explained upon this principle. Since it appears therefore that the
influence of solubility is most important, temperature, to whose
dominion it is under all circumstances subject, must necessarily be
alike powerful; let us exemplify this fact by the action of the very
salts under consideration; it has been just stated that muriate of
magnesia and sulphate of soda decompose each other in a concentrated
solution at a high temperature, producing muriate of soda and sulphate
of magnesia, but at temperatures below 32° the reverse actually takes
place, muriate of soda and sulphate of magnesia reacting, and being
converted into sulphate of soda and muriate of magnesia; a fact
evidently owing to the relation of the solubility of these salts to
temperature. Muriate of soda has its solubility scarcely altered,
either by heat or cold; sulphate of soda is, in these respects,
completely the reverse; hence at an elevated temperature, muriate of
soda is the least, and sulphate of soda the most soluble salt, whilst
at a low temperature, the reverse of this happens. All the
circumstances of this investigation are most interesting; the medical
practitioner will at once perceive its importance, as enabling him to
appreciate the real nature of saline solutions, and even in many
instances to preserve their identity. See Aquæ Minerales.

Footnote 391:

There is a precaution respecting the preservation of these waters for
analysis with which the chemist ought to be acquainted; it will be
fully explained by the relation of the following anecdote. M. Wurza,
on examining some bottles of Chalybeate water, could detect no signs
of iron in them, and on seeking for the cause of this circumstance, he
discovered it in the astringent nature of the corks which had combined
with the metallic substance, and abstracted it from the water.

Footnote 392:

The Mineral Springs in the United States more especially deserving of
notice, are those of Saratoga and Ballston in the State of New-York,
and of Schooley’s Mountain in New-Jersey. Of the two first, various
analyses have been published by different chemists, but with so little
uniformity of result as to leave their true chemical character still
in a state of uncertainty. An account of these discrepancies may be
seen in the New-England Journal of Medicine and Surgery for 1817. As
the analyses of Dr. Steel appear upon the whole to be most
satisfactory, we shall quote them. One gallon of the water was the
quantity used in the experiments.

BALLSTON.

1. _Public Spring._ Temperat. 50° Fahr.

Muriate of Soda, 159.
Carbonate of Soda, 9.
Carbonate of Lime, 75.5
Carbonate of Magnesia, 2.5
Carbonate of Iron, 7.
—————
253. grs.

Carbonic Acid 210 cubic inches.

2. _Low’s Spring._ Temperat. 52°.

Muriate of Soda, 142.
Carbonate of Soda, 10.
Carbonate of Lime, 64.5
Carbonate of Magnesia, 1.5
Carbonate of Iron, 6.
—————
224. grs.

Carbonic Acid 220 cubic inches.

3. _New Spring._ Temperat. 50°.

Muriate of Soda, 145.
Carbonate of Soda, 12.
Carbonate of Lime, 61.5
Carbonate of Magnesia, 9.
Carbonate of Iron, 7.5
—————
235. grs.

Carbonic Acid 159.5. cubic inches.

SARATOGA.

1. _Congress Spring._ Temperat. 50°.

Muriate of Soda, 471.5
Carbonate of Lime, 178.476
Carbonate of Soda, 16.5
Carbonate of Magnesia, 3.356
Carbonate of Iron, 6.168
———————
676. grs.

Carbonic Acid 343 cubic inches.

More recently this Spring has been analyzed by the late Professor DANA, and, according to him, the constituents in one quart of water are the following:

Bi-carbonate of Lime, 51.080 grs.
Bi-carbonate of Soda, 18.478
Chloride of Sodium, (common salt,) 97.080
Chloride of Magnesium, (Mur. of 9.140
Magnesia,)
Silex, with a trace of Iron, 1.500
———————
177.278 grs.

Uncombined Carbonic Acid Gas, 36.90 cubic inches.
Azote, 1.80
—————
38.70[393]

2. _Columbian Spring._ Temperat. 50°.

Muriate of Soda, 201.5
Carbonate of Soda, 22.5
Carbonate of Lime, 121.
Carbonate of Magnesia, 1.5
Carbonate of Iron, 7.5
—————
354. grs.

Carbonic Acid 236 cubic inches.

3. _High rock Spring._ Temperat. 48°.

Muriate of Soda, 210.
Carbonate of Soda, 18.
Carbonate of Lime, 115.
Carbonate of Magnesia, .5
Carbonate of Iron, 4.5
—————
348. grs.

Carbonic Acid 243 cubic inches.

SCHOOLEY’S MOUNTAIN.

According to the analysis of Dr. M‘Nevin, these waters consist of

Extractive, 0.92
Muriate of Soda, 0.43
Muriate of Lime, 2.40
Muriate of Magnesia, 0.50
Carbonate of Lime, 7.99
Sulphate of Lime, 0.65
Carbonate of Magnesia, 0.40
Silex, 0.80
Carbonated Oxyd of Iron, 2.00
Loss, 0.41
—————
16.50

The diseases in which the Ballston and Saratoga waters have been
recommended are dyspepsia, hypochondriasis, hysteria, dropsy,
paralysis, chronic gout, rheumatism, chlorosis, suppression of the
menses, and diseases of the bladder and kidneys. The waters of
Schooley’s Mountain, besides their general utility in diseases of the
digestive organs, have proved eminently successful in calculous
affections. _Ed._

Footnote 393:

New-York Med. and Phys. Journal, No. 21. p. 73.

Footnote 394:

For the same purpose the French employ a pomatum prepared with the
oxide of bismuth, and it is said to answer the intention.

Footnote 395:

PERMANENT INK FOR MARKING LINEN. This preparation is a solution of
nitrate of silver, thickened with sap green, or cochineal. The
preparing liquid, or Pounce liquid, as it is technically called, with
which the linen to be marked is previously wetted, is a solution of
soda, boiled with gum, or some animal mucilage. It is a curious
circumstance, that if potass be used for this purpose, the marking ink
will run.

Footnote 396:

Nitrate of Silver is commonly called an Escharotic. This, however,
gives no just idea of the properties of this valuable article, or of
the uses to which it may be applied. As a local application in cases
of external inflammation, punctured wounds, and ulcers, I have found
it a remedy of surpassing utility. It is to Mr. Higginbottom that we
are indebted for the full developement of this subject.—See “An Essay
on the use of Nitrate of Silver, in the cure of Inflammation, Wounds,
and Ulcers.” _Ed._

Footnote 397:

Horse-radish; horse-mint; bull-rush; &c. These epithets are Grecisms;
ιππος and βους, i. e. horse and bull, when prefixed to any word,
signified no more than great; thus the great Dock, Hippo-lapathum, and
the horse of Alexander from the size of his head was named Bucephalus.

Footnote 398:

An infusion of horse-radish is a very ancient remedy in disorders of
the stomach. In Paulus Ægineta we shall find a letter written by
Carytius Antigonus, in which it is highly recommended for such a
purpose.

Footnote 399:

The chemist may satisfy himself of this fact by heating some arsenious
acid on a piece of platinum foil, and alternately raising and
depressing it into the blue flame of the spirit, when corresponding
changes in odour will take place.

Footnote 400:

It will probably afford a satisfactory explanation of the circumstance
mentioned by Dr. Percival, that the workmen who solder silver
filligree with an arsenical alloy, are never affected by the fumes.
Dr. Percival does not appear to have been in the least aware of the
probable reason of this fact; he says, “This solder is melted by the
flame of a lamp directed by a blow-pipe; the greatest part of the
arsenic is evaporated by the blast and flame, and some part also of
the rest of the solder, and yet the men appear to enjoy as good
health, and to live as long as other artists! Amongst other examples
of the truth of this observation, I lately saw in the manufactory at
the Soho at Birmingham, a man of more than fifty years of age, who had
soldered silver filligree for thirty-five years, and had regularly,
during that period, passed from eight to ten hours daily in his
occupation, and yet he was fat, strong, active, cheerful, and of a
complexion by no means sickly; neither he nor his brother artists use
any means to counteract the effect of their trade.” Dr. Rotheram, in a
letter to Dr. Percival, comments upon this fact, and says, “how far
the fluxes used in soldering the filligree may fix the parts of the
arsenic, or from what cause these workmen might escape, I dare not
say, but I should notwithstanding strongly suspect the fumes of this
very volatile and caustic mineral to be very prejudicial.”—I have
shewn above that arsenious acid is readily decomposed when heated in
contact with an oxidable metal, and I apprehend that this fact will
explain the reason why the fumes of the alloy in question are disarmed
of their virulence.

Footnote 401:

In my work on Medical Jurisprudence, (Vol. ii. p. 216) the reader will
find a very full account of the symptoms produced by this poison.

Footnote 402:

PLUNKETT’S OINTMENT, consists of arsenious acid, sulphur, and the
powdered flowers of the Ranunculus Flammula, and Cotula Fœtida,
levigated and made into a paste with the white of an egg, and applied,
on a piece of pig’s bladder, to the surface of the cancer.

PATE ARSENICALE. This favourite remedy of the French surgeons consists
of 70 parts of cinnabar, 22 of sanguis draconis, and 8 of arsenious
acid, made into paste with saliva, at the time of applying it. This
combination, observes a periodical writer, is similar, with the
exception of the ashes of the soles of old shoes, to that recommended
by Father Cosmo under the name of “Pulvis Anti-carcinomatosa.”

DAVIDSON’S REMEDY FOR CANCER, arsenious acid, and powdered hemlock.

Footnote 403:

In the Journal de Medicine, the following case of a woman is related
who was killed by her husband having insinuated powdered arsenic into
the vagina, at the moment of enjoying the conjugal rites. “A woman at
Leneux, department de l’Ourthe, aged 40, having died after a short
illness, attended with considerable tumefaction of the genital parts,
uterine hemorrhage, vomiting, and purging, the body was inspected by
order of the mayor, when the surgeons reported that they found the
vulva in a state of gangrene, the abdomen much distended with air, and
the intestines inflamed and gangrenous. The culprit was arrested,
convicted, and executed.” In the Acts of the Society of Medicine of
Copenhagen, a similar crime is recorded, committed also by a peasant;
in this latter case, although some small pieces of arsenic were found
within the vagina, yet, some doubting the possibility of this species
of poisoning, the magistrates consulted the College of Medicine of
Copenhagen, who decided the question in the affirmative, by
instituting a series of experiments upon horses.

SINGLETON’S EYE SALVE, OR GOLDEN OINTMENT. Under this name is sold a
preparation which consists of sulphuret of arsenic (orpiment) with
lard, or spermaceti ointment. The Unguentum Hydrargyri Nitrico Oxydi
of the London College is also sold under the same title.

DELCROIX’S POUDRE SUBTIL, “for removing superfluous hair in less than
ten minutes.”! This fashionable depilatory appears upon examination to
consist of Quick-lime and Sulphuret of Arsenic, with some vegetable
powder. It is, however, so unequally mixed, that in submitting it to
analysis, no two portions afforded the same results. It can scarcely
be necessary to state, that such a composition is incapable of
fulfilling the intention for which it is so confidently vended.

In Paris, arsenic forms the basis of several blistering cerates. Such
applications cannot be safe.

Footnote 404:

This substance may be considered as consisting of charcoal, in a state
of extremely minute division, and the sub-carbonate of potass. It is
prepared by deflagrating, in a crucible, two parts of Super-tartrate
of Potass with one part of Nitrate of Potass.

Footnote 405:

In order to close the end of the tube, where a blow-pipe is not to be
procured, the end is to be placed in a common fire, until it is
completely softened, and a pair of small tongs being at the same time
made red hot, the tube is to be withdrawn from the fire, and then
heated and pinched by the tongs, and at the same time bent up at an
acute angle, so as to be brought parallel to the body of the tube. The
tube is then to be heated a second time, and being again firmly
pinched by the hot tongs, the end will be found to be completely
impervious. Where a glass is not at hand Mr. R. Phillips says a common
draught phial may be made to answer the purpose, especially a _ten
drachm_ phial, for it is long in proportion to its diameter. In using
it, however, care must be taken that the suspected powder and black
flux do not reach the bottom, for, on account of its thickness, it
will readily break on the application of heat. The phial must
therefore be heated laterally by means of a spirit lamp.

Footnote 406:

Dr. Bostock has informed us that the best proportions for this coating
are one part of common pipe clay, to three parts of fine sand; which
are to be well kneaded together, and reduced to such a state of
tenacity that the lute will readily adhere to the tube, and its
different parts unite, without forming a visible seam, (Edinb. Med. &
Surg. Journ. April, 1809.)

Footnote 407:

Should the operator be unable to procure a spirit lamp, a very
convenient substitute may be provided in the following manner. Let a
piece of tin plate, about an inch long, be coiled up into a cylinder
of about ⅜ths of an inch in diameter, and, if the edges be well
hammered, it is not necessary to use solder. Perforate a cork,
previously fitted to a phial, and put a cotton wick through the short
tin tube, and the tube through the cork. The lamp is now complete, and
will afford a strong flame, taking care of course not to prevent the
rise of the spirit by fitting the cork too closely.

Footnote 408:

In the celebrated case of Kesler, who was tried in the state of
New-York some few years ago, for having poisoned his wife with
arsenic, this very question was agitated, and gave rise to much
learned controversy. The physicians originally called to examine the
body of the deceased, found, on dissection, the stomach and intestines
highly inflamed, and on the inner surface of the stomach, particles of
a vitreous appearance. These particles were subjected to various
chemical tests, all of which very strikingly concurred in confirming
the suspicion that they were arsenic. Upon this, in connexion with the
other testimony adduced in the case, the prisoner was found guilty and
condemned to death. The minutes of the trial were transmitted by the
presiding judge (Yates) to Governor Clinton, who submitted the
professional part of them to Dr. M‘Nevin of New-York, for his opinion
in relation to it. Thus called upon, Dr. M. seems to have considered
that his only duty was to find fault. Objections were accordingly
raised against every test hitherto employed by the best chemists for
the detection of arsenic. They were all pronounced to be uncertain,
and “_the only thing to be relied on_,” according to him, was “_the
exhibition of the metal itself in its metallic lustre and state_.” In
consequence of this difference of opinion, the execution of Kesler was
suspended by the Governor, and the whole case referred by him to the
Legislature. That distinguished body appointed a committee to
investigate the business, and the result was that the original verdict
of the jury was confirmed by the Legislature, and the criminal was
executed. It must furnish a source of the purest gratification to the
medical witnesses concerned in this case, to find their opinions so
unequivocally and so justly confirmed by an authority so high as Dr.
Paris. For a detailed account of this trial we refer to Beck’s Medical
Jurisprudence, vol. 2, p. 239.—_Ed._

Footnote 409:

If any trifling opacity occur in a simple solution of arsenic, when
assayed by the nitrate of silver, it may be considered as the effects
of some casual impurities; this is further demonstrated by bringing
over the surface of the arsenical liquid, a piece of blotting paper,
or a stopper, moistened with a solution of ammonia, when there will
instantly form a copious yellow precipitate of arsenite of silver. If
this experiment be performed on a surface of glass, laid over white
paper, the result is very striking and beautiful.

Footnote 410:

Annals of Philosophy, vol. x, p. 60.

Footnote 411:

London Medical and Physical Journal, January, 1818.

Footnote 412:

In Wine and Porter, the solvent is probably Tartaric acid, for the
Arsenite of Silver is soluble in this as well as in the acetic and
nitric acids. In Tea the solvent would appear to be Tannin. The
Arsenite of Silver is likewise dissolved by the Tartaric acid, and
also, but not so readily, by the Citric and Acetic acids.

Footnote 413:

This opinion has lately received ample confirmation from the
experiments of Dr. Christison, (Edinb. Med. and Surg. Journal, July,
1824) who has shewn that the process of Orfila is objectionable on the
three following grounds, viz.

1st. The colour is very seldom so entirely destroyed but that the
precipitates produced by some of the tests still deviate to a certain
degree from their characteristic tints; and although the colour of the
fluid be even destroyed entirely, it often re-appears in the
precipitates.

2d. Although the Chlorine destroys the colour, it does not also take
from the fluid its solvent action on the arsenical precipitates.

3d. In fluids decolorized by Chlorine, and containing no Arsenic, some
of the tests produce precipitates, not only precisely the same with
those which they cause in the decolorized solutions of Arsenic, but
likewise very similar in appearance to those caused in a pure aqueous
solution of Arsenic.

Footnote 414:

The experiments by which I ascertained this fact were made soon after
the publication of Mr. Phillips’s paper, and long before I saw Dr.
Christison’s communication in the Edinburgh Journal. I merely mention
this circumstance to add greater weight to the experimental evidence,
for when different persons arrive at the same conclusion without any
communication with each other, the strongest possible testimony is
afforded. I may also add that my suspicions were raised to the
probability of the fact by a knowledge of the action of charcoal upon
lime water. In a philosophical point of view the fact is one of great
interest; it seems to connect the phenomena of mechanical and chemical
attraction. We have evidently a body removed from the state of
solution by mechanical means.

Footnote 415:

The following is the formula for its preparation. Dissolve ten grains
of lunar caustic in ten times its weight of distilled water, to this
add, _guttatim_, liquid ammonia, until a precipitate is formed:
continue cautiously to add the ammonia, repeatedly agitating the
mixture until the precipitate is nearly redissolved. The object of
allowing a small portion to remain undissolved is to guard against an
excess of ammonia. Wherever the test is used, the liquid to which it
is added ought to be quite cold.

Footnote 416:

This is very important, for an excess of ammonia redissolves the
yellow precipitate, and therefore defeats the object of the test. The
fixed alkalies, in excess, have not such a property.

Footnote 417:

The great impression made upon the public mind in Cornwall, by the
above trial, produced a disposition to regard the cause of every
sudden death with more than usual jealousy. See a Report of this trial
in the Appendix of our work on Medical Jurisprudence.

Footnote 418:

In consequence of a report having arisen that a young woman had died
after an illness of forty-eight hours, and been hastily buried at
Madron, the magistrates of that district issued their warrant for the
disinterment of the body, and requested my attendance at the
examination. It appeared upon dissection that the immediate cause of
death had been inflammation of the intestines; the stomach was found
to contain a considerable portion of liquid, which was carefully
collected and examined; no solid matter could be discovered in it. It
appeared to consist principally of the remains of a quantity of
penny-royal tea, which had been the last thing administered to the
deceased. This was divided into several portions, and placed in
separate wine glasses, and submitted, in the presence of the sheriff
and other gentlemen, to a series of experiments, amongst which the
following may be particularized, as bearing upon the question at
issue.

1st. A few drops of a solution of sub-carbonate of potass were added
to the liquid, in one of the glasses, when its colour, which was
before of a light hazel, was instantly deepened into a reddish yellow;
the sulphate of copper was then applied, when a precipitate fell down,
which every one present immediately pronounced to be of a _vivid
green_ hue, but in pouring off the supernatant liquid, and
transferring the precipitate upon white paper, it assumed a blue
colour, without the least tinge of green; the explanation of the
phenomenon, and the fallacy to which it gave rise, was obvious: the
yellow colour, imparted to the liquid by the alkali, was the effect of
that body upon vegetable extract, and will generally take place on
adding it to the infusions of vegetable substances.

2nd. To another portion of the liquid, the ammoniaco-nitrate of silver
was added; a slight turbidness arose, but no yellow precipitate
occurred.

3rd. After adding a fixed alkali, the surface of the liquid was
touched with a stick of lunar caustic, but no yellow precipitate was
produced.

4th. The liquid was next assayed in a watch-glass, for a phosphate of
soda, by endeavouring to form a triple salt with magnesia and ammonia,
as suggested by Dr. Wollaston; the result proved that phosphate of
soda was not present. It is unnecessary to pursue the relation of the
experiments; I conceive that sufficient evidence has been adduced to
establish the truth of the explanation. I have frequently repeated the
first experiment, substituting for the gastric infusion, a decoction
of onions, and with similar results.

Footnote 419:

This explanation applies equally to the objection lately advanced by
Dr. Porter, of the University of South Carolina, who in observing on
the tests for arsenic, remarks, that an appearance similar to
Scheele’s Green, is produced by the carbonate of potass when added to
a solution of copper containing coffee, but without arsenic, more
striking than if a weak solution of arsenic be used. Silliman’s
Journal, iii. 365.

Footnote 420:

Annals of Philosophy, New Series, No. III. for March, 1821.

Footnote 421:

The habitudes of arsenious acid with the nitrates were first observed
by Kunkel; nitrous vapour is disengaged, part of the oxygen being
absorbed by the arsenious acid, by which an arsenite of potass is
formed.

Footnote 422:

Dr. Bostock confesses that where less than three-fourths of a grain
were used, he could not say that the metallic crust was clearly
perceptible; and Dr. Black considered that one grain was the smallest
quantity which could be distinctly recognised by such a process. Dr.
Jaeger (Dissertatio Inauguralis, Stuttgard, 1808) also observes, that
he has been enabled to recognise the tenth of a grain of arsenious
acid, although mixed with sugar, by its odour, when thrown upon
burning coals! I must be allowed to question this fact; Dr. Jaeger, no
doubt, believed that he recognised the alliaceous odour, but it must
have been the effect of imagination. Dr. Bostock observes that, if
Arsenic be mixed with either an animal or vegetable substance, the
smoke and smell arising from those bodies, when heated, will
altogether prevent our recognising its odour. He found that when a
quantity of Arsenic was mixed with an equal weight of flour, and
placed upon iron at a low red heat, so as not to cause the flour to
inflame, the suffocating smoke that arose from the latter could be
alone perceived; nor was it possible to discover that any thing had
been mixed with it (Edinb. Med. Journal.) This objection of Dr.
Bostock is true in fact, although it admits of a different
explanation, for at a low temperature the Arsenious acid would be
volatilized without decomposition; in which case no alliaceous odour
can be developed. Dr. Traill has lately asserted (Annals of
Philosophy, Feb. 1824) that he has recognised the alliaceous odour
during the volatilization of 1/78th of a grain of the metal. I do not
question the truth of this assertion, but there must have been an
address in the manipulation which we cannot expect to find in ordinary
experimenters.

Footnote 423:

Assafœtida was used by the ancients as a condiment, under the name of
σιλφὶον, _Laserpitium_, (Pliny); and according to Kempfer, the
Persians use it for the same purpose. The Arabian writers on the
materia medica class this article among their Mobehyat
(_Aphrodisiaca_). The term Assafœtida is derived from the monks of the
Salernian school; some of the writers of the middle ages call it Opium
Cyrenaicum, i. e. the Juice from Cyrene.

Footnote 424:

TOLU LOZENGES. Sugar 8 oz. Cream of Tartar 1 oz. Starch 2 drachms.
Tinct. Toluiferæ Balsami E. one fluid-drachm, mucilage of Gum
Tragacanth q. s.

Footnote 425:

_Belladonna_, so called from the juice of its berries being used as a
cosmetic by the Italian women, to make their faces pale.

Footnote 426:

The root of this plant seems to partake of the same qualities as the
leaves, but is perhaps less virulent:

“Or have we eaten of the insane root,
That takes the reason prisoner.”
_Macbeth._

The Belladonna is supposed by Sauvage to be the plant that produced
such extraordinary effects upon the Roman Soldiers during their
retreat, under the command of Anthony, from the Parthians, when they
are said to have “suffered great distress for want of provisions, and
were urged to eat unknown plants; among others they met with a herb
that was mortal: he that had eaten of it lost his memory and his
senses, and employed himself wholly in turning about all the stones he
could find, and after vomiting up bile, fell down dead.” (Plutarch’s
Life of Anthony.) The Scotch historian Buchannan relates, “that the
Scots mixed a quantity of the juice of the Belladonna (_Solanum
Somniferum_) with the bread and drink which by their truce they were
to supply the Danes with, which so intoxicated them that the Scots
killed the greater part of Sweno’s army.”

Footnote 427:

FUMIGATING PASTILLES. Benzoin generally constitutes the chief
ingredient in these compositions, to which may be added any variety of
odoriferous substances; the following formula may be offered as a
specimen: ℞. Benzoin ʒj, Cascarillæ ʒss, Myrrh ℈j, Olei nuc. moschat.
ol. Caryophyll. āā gr. x. potassæ nitratis ʒss, carb. ligni ʒvj.
mucilag. gum. Trag. q. s.

Footnote 428:

VIRGIN’S MILK. A spirituous solution of Benzoin mixed with about
twenty parts of rose water, forms a cosmetic long known by this name.
Under the same title also a very different preparation is sold, vid.
Liquor Plumbi sub-acetatis.

FRIAR’S BALSAM, WADE’S DROPS, JESUIT’S DROPS.—These preparations are
nothing more than the Tinctura Benzoini composita.

PECTORAL BALSAM OF HONEY.—Is merely the tincture of Benzoin, or that
of Tolu.

ESSENCE OF COLTSFOOT.—This preparation consists of equal parts of the
Balsam of Tolu, and the Compound Tincture of Benzoin, to which is
added double the quantity of rectified Spirit of Wine; and this
forsooth is a Pectoral for Coughs! If a patient with a pulmonary
affection should recover during the use of such a remedy, I should
certainly designate it as a lucky Escape, rather than as a skilful
Cure.

Footnote 429:

The Pearl Powder of Perfumers is obtained from the nitric solution of
Bismuth, by adding a proportion of muriatic acid, and then
precipitating by a small quantity of water. In this way it is obtained
in the form of minute scales of a pearly lustre.

Footnote 430:

The gas which arises from the combustion of mineral coal will produce
the same effect. It is related of a lady of fashion, who had
incautiously seated herself too near the fire, at a quadrille party,
that her countenance changed on a sudden from a delicate white to a
dark tawney, as though by magic. The surprise and confusion of the
whole party had such an effect upon the disfigured _fair one_, that
she was actually dying from apprehension, when the physician dispelled
their fears by informing his patient that nothing more was necessary
than for her to abstain from the use of mineral cosmetics, and to
trust in future to those charms which Nature had bestowed upon her.

Footnote 431: