wash with alcohol 45° 10.0 parts. Distil or evaporate off the alcohol at a temperature not exceeding 60° to 80°. C. (=140° to 176° F.) and add if necessary distilled water to make 100.0 parts. Ph. Centralh., July, 1879.

IODINE. Solvent for. Solvent for. According to Dr. E. T. Blackwell, iodine dissolves in oil of bitter almonds in proportion of one of iodine to three of the oil, if allowed to remain in contact two months or more. This solution is said to mix freely with oil fats, glycerine, alcohol, ether, fluid extracts, etc.—Ph. J. Trans., November, 1878.

IODOFORM is soluble, according to Dr. Vulpius, one part in 6 p. of ether; absolute alcohol 4 per cent.; glycerine at 212° F. one per cent.; one-half of which deposits on cooling. Olive oil takes up by aid of heat twenty per cent. and retains two per cent. on cooling.-Arch. of Ph., March, 1879.

MAGNESIUM SULPHATE.-Prof. F. H. Storer recommends as an efficient preventative of constipation during the heated term a solution of Epsom salts containing ammonia salt as follows: Epsom salts, 15 grams (232 grs.); common salt, 8 grams (124 grs.); to a quart of water. A small wine-glassful three or more times per day. The taste of the solution is much improved after keeping a week.-A. J. P., July, 1878.

ESSENTIAL OILS. To preserve what is not wanted for immediate use.-Fill into smail bottles so as to touch the cork, which should be tied down. Seal or dip into a melted mixture of two parts of paraffine and one of yellow wax, and immediately place in a dark cool place in a cellar.-J. B. MOORE in Druggists' Circular, August, 1878.

PHOSPHORUS dissolves by aid of heat to the extent of nearly one per cent. in concentrated acetic acid.-DR. VULPIUS: Arch. of Ph., July, 1878.

PETROLEUM. Solidification. By digestion of powdered soapwort (Saponaria) with water and mixing it with petroleum, a thick mucilage is formed even when the oil is of low specific gravity.-Drug. Circ., January, 1879.

PYROGALLIC ACID is stated to be as effectual as tannin, iron, ergot, or gallic acid, as a hæmostatic in bleeding from the lungs or stomach. It has been given internally in doses of 0.05 gram, and never causes nausea, vomiting or other disturbance of the stomach. It has also been used locally in psoriasis. Ph. Centralh., March, 1879.

SCOPARIN (one of the alkaloids of the Sarothamnus scoparius or Broom) is recommended as á diuretic, administered hypodermically in doses of 0.03 to 0.06 gram. For this purpose it is dissolved in water, 0.03 gram scoparin, 1 gram water and a trace of ammonia. When administered by mouth, doses of 0.5 to 1.0 gram may be required to produce a strong diuretic action.-Ph. J. Trans., June, 1879.

SODIUM ETHYLATE (caustic alcohol) is recommended by Dr. Benj. W. Richardson for use in medical and surgical practice, claiming the following results on its application to a vascular living tissue. (1.) A removal or absorption of water from the tissues into the ethylate. (2.) The destructive action of the caustic soda formed. (3.) Coagulation from the alcohol reproduced. (4.) Prevention of decomposition of the dead organic substances that are formed. The following process for its preparation is said to give excellent results: "Put half a fluid ounce of absolute alcohol sp. gr. 0.795 into a two-ounce test-tube. Set the test-tube up in a bath of water at 50° F. and add, in small pieces at a time, cuttings of pure metallic sodium. Hydrogen escapes. Add the sodium until the gas ceases to escape; then raise the temperature of the water in the bath to 100° F. and add a little more sodium. When the gas again ceases to escape, stop adding sodium; or if the fluid which, by this time, will be of a gelatinous consistency should crystallize, then stop. Afterward cool down to 50° F. and add half a fluid-ounce more of absolute alcohol." The fluid is best applied with a quill or glass point.-Ph. J. Trans., December, 1878.

SODIUM SULPHOMETHYLATE.-M. Rabuteau recommends this salt as a purgative, producing painless and copious stools

in doses of about 15 grams (one half-ounce).-New Rem., May, 1879.

SODIUM BIBORATE (BORAX).-E. De Lyon asserts that borax as a preservative of food is perfectly innocuous.-Chem. News, January, 1879. G. Le Bon denies this and states, that taken in small successive doses borax is poisonous, and thinks its use should be strictly prohibited in the preservation of food. -Ch. News, January, 1879.

SALICYLIC ACID. Solubility.-According to E. Bourgour is 2.25 parts in 1,000 parts of water at 59° F. At 212° F., 79.25 parts in 1,000 of water.-J. Chem. Society, November, 1878.

SODIUM SALICYLATE. Extemporaneous Preparation.—Acid salicylic 1,230 grains; sodium bicarbonate 745 grains; water q. s. for 6 fluid-ounces. Each minim of this solution contains 0.5 grains of the salt. Sodium salicylate is soluble in ninetenths of its weight of water at 60° F. In ten times its weight of ninety-five per cent. of alcohol at 60° F. Glycerine dissolves fifty per cent. of its weight at 180° F., and retains it at 60° F.-A. J. Ph., December, 1869.

THYMOL.-According to Mr. Holmes, milk dissolves and holds in solution ten per cent. of its weight. Acetic acid, B.P. two grains to the fluid-ounce. Equal parts of thymol, camphor and chloral hydrate, when rubbed together, produce a liquid possessing powerful antiseptic properties. Thymol and camphor, when rubbed together, produce a liquid similar to chloral camphor. It is colorless and syrupy when equal parts are used, and serves a good purpose for preparing ointments of any strength.-MR. CHAS. SYMES in Ph. J. Trans., January, 1879.

PHENOMENON OF THE HUMAN PULSE.

By H. W. BUXTON, M. D., Worcester, Mass.

Some time since in public debate, I heard an honored President of a medical society say, that "He had known the pulse to be increased by taking a prostrate position. He had observed his own pulse to be considerably more rapid when reclining than in a sitting or standing position: and hence, forsooth, a nap while sitting would be more refreshing and quiet then the said nap in a prostrate position." The reason given was that the blood pressed harder upon the brain when lying than when sitting or standing.

Failing, as I did, to see any ground-physiological, pathological or anatomical-for this assumption, or this novel phenomenon of the pulse, my first impulse was for a more thorough personal acquaintance with the arterial circulation. That ambition has begotten thought and some research, and I am now happy to present to you this embryon of so short gestation, named: "The Human Pulse."

The scientific knowledge of this subject is little more than a century old. Kepler in the sixteenth century, conceived the idea of ascertaining the number of pulsations in a given time. But Floyer who wrote at the beginning of the eighteenth century, was the first who collected any considerable number of observations.

Bryam, Robinson, Folener, Knox, Graves, Nick, and Quetelet, have also written upon the subject. I have examined and analysed their views, following in the same field of inquiry.

This term is from pulsus (Latin) a pushing or beating. The arterial pulsation is due to the distention of the arteries consequent upon the intermittent injection of blood into their trunks, and the subsequent contraction which results from the elasticity of their walls. In some cases it is preferable to count the number of contractions of the heart itself. The characteristics which most elicit attention from the physician are its frequency, its regularity, its fulness, its tension, and

its force. The frequency of the pulse is equivalent to the number of contractions of the left ventricle of the heart. The fulness, smallness, hardness, softness, etc., depend on the size and contractions of the artery.

The number of pulsations varies with the age, temperament, sex, stature, idiosyncrasy, and other circumstances.

As the beats of the arteries correspond with the motion of the heart, we may determine the state of the circulation which is an important consideration in many forms of disease. The pulse in health is equal, regular, supple, and moderate in strength. Every one should learn to ascertain the state of the pulse in health: then by comparing it with what it is when he is ailing he may obtain some correct perception of the urgency of his case.

By pulse then, we mean the beating or impulse exhibited by the cardiac pulsations to the ear or hand of the observer when applied over any of the large arteries. On account of the convenience, and because the integuments over the radial artery at the wrist are not so thick as at other places, we usually consult at that point this subtile but truthful witness in the case which may be under consideration.

Opinions of physiologists, from Harvey in 1628 down, have varied essentially regarding the cause of this constant and certain impulse. But they all allow that the heart is the great focus of the forces that move the blood. The cause of the heart's action has been a deeply interesting question to the physiological enquirer and has been the theme of many and warm controversies.

From the first moment of fœtal existence at which it become perceptible till the cessation of life, the heart continues to move. Its diastolé and systolé never cease. The foot and the hand are important, but no man can dispense with his heart. It is vital.

The blood propelled from the heart by its contractions enters the two large blood-vessels: the pulmonary artery from the right ventricle and the aorta from the left. The former of these sends it to the lungs, the latter to every part of the system. Whether the ventricle alone does this work or