put into the best plight possible, and anon ( through it upon urinary calculi, have been comes in the surgeon, and, in two or three very carefully studied in recent times. The minutes' time, exhibits to him the cause of Vichy water, however, influences the urine all his sufferings, firmly held between the and the greater number of the deposits that chops of a pair of tongs. A triumph of this take place from that fluid solely in virtue of kind is not lightly to be foregone: and so long the bicarbonate of soda which it contains; as mechanical means of removing a stone this salt administered in simple water, or in from the bladder are held on the whole to be water surcharged with carbonic acid in imitatolerably safe in their application, it never tion of the natural mineral water, of itself will be foregone. Neither is it to be expected possesses properties chemically and physiothat any others, necessarily of slow opera- logically of precisely the same kind as the tion, and of which the triumph must be alto- Vichy water. Simple solutions of soda, and gether without éclat, will be anxiously sought artificial mineral waters, however, are never after by the operating surgeon. Neverthe- borne so well by the stomach as those that less, it will be seen in the sequel, that all the are presented to us by the hand of Nature. mechanical modes hitherto devised, and ge- This is particularly the case with the artificial nerally practised for the removal of a stone Vichy water. Nor is this objection met in from the bladder, are fraught with so much every point by the use of the transported danger both present and prospective to the natural mineral water. A course of mineral patient, that the interests of humanity and of water at the spring, has the vast advantage true science alike command us to go and of securing the individual whilst pursuing strive to improve upon aught that has ever it against countervailing influences of every been done in the way of treatment otherwise kind; to say nothing of the circumstance than by operation; and further, should the that the water, costing little or nothing at necessity for operating arrive, to inquire the fountain head, is always taken in quanwhether there be not better methods of tities that would be felt as ruinously expenproceeding than those that are in common sive if used at a distance. use at present." The patient is seldom, if ever, aware of the risk he incurs by submitting to the operation either of lithotomy or lithotrity. It has ever been our opinion, both publicly and privately expressed, that much greater advantage may be derived from the treatment by medico-chemical means, of calculous affections, than by surgical operations; and our readers will come to the same conclusion, when they have perused the work under consideration. It is not necessary to give an analysis of the arrangement and contents of this treatise. Suffice it to say, that it gives a description of the treatment by solvents administered internally and by way of injection, and of the operations of lithotomy, lithotrity, lithectasy, and cystectasy, and that the author discusses the matter in dispute temperately and impartially, conveying his ideas in language remarkable for its simplicity and explicit ness. Dr. Willis has brought very extensive reading and research to bear on this able work, and proves himself highly competent for the task which he has undertaken and most creditably accomplished. The following is from Chap. I. p. 35: "The medical treatment of stone in the bladder has indeed assumed an entirely new aspect of late years, and the subject is not yet by any means exhausted. In the preceding paragraphs the effects of the alkaline mineral waters of Vichy have been particularly dwelt upon, because the influence which these waters exert upon the urine, and "The bicarbonate of soda in solution, or as it occurs in the Vichy water, is of service in cases of calculus by rendering the urine alkaline. But the alkaline carbonates, whether of soda or potash, are not the only, nor perchance the best, salts that may be employed in this direction. The neutral citrate, malate, and even tartrate of potash and of soda, taken by the mouth, render the urine very promptly alkaline, and have precisely the same effect as the carbonate and bicarbonate of the same bases. These neutral salts are in fact decompounded in their transit through the body, making their appearance in the urine in the shape of carbonates, and attacking urinary concretions contained in the bladder, just as the bicarbonates do when administered directly by the mouth. These neutral salts, composed of a vegetable acid and an alkaline base, have this advantage over the bicarbonates—that they do not combine with and render inefficient the natural acid of the stomach, which we now know plays so important a part in the function of digestion; they can therefore be taken for even longer periods than the bicarbonates without weakening the stomach, and without interfering with the changes which the food must undergo in that viscus to be made fit to furnish the body with materials for its growth and nourishment. "There are yet other alkaline salts which pass readily from the stomach into the blood, and from thence find an exit by the kidney, which have a still more decided action as solvents of lithic acid than the alkaline car bonates. These are the bonates of potash and soda. I am not certain, however, that the borates are really so well fitted as the carbonates to attack the generality of urinary calculi. They have not been shown to possess the same faculty of combining with and dissolving the mucus or animal matter that enters into the constitution of the majority of calculi in such large proportion, and so they may fall short of the carbonates in disintegrating power. The borate of potash or of soda may, nevertheless, be found useful in certain cases. It may be taken in doses adequate to keep the urine constantly impregnated with it for months, without any detriment to the function of digestion or to the general health. "The very latest researches have added another substance to the catalogue of legitimate lithontriptics, which will very certainly yet be found of signal service in the treatment of numerous varieties of calculous diathesis. This is the benzoïc acid,—one of the few substances of its class which is readily absorbed into the system, and, like the alkalis, finds its way out again by the kidney. It is but yesterday since this acid, from its physiological affinities and its known capacity to combine with the uric acid, and to convert a most insoluble into an extremely soluble substance, was recommended in gout by Mr. Ure,* as calculated to prevent the deposition, and even to effect the removal of the tophaceous masses of urate of soda, which are so commonly seen about the joints in inveterate cases of that disease; and if the uro-benzoïc acid, which is found in the urine when benzoic acid is exhibited by the mouth, have the power of combining with the earthy phosphates, as I have been assured it has by the ingenious surgeon just named, we are weaponed afresh and more effectually than ever against urinary concretions, for the uro-benzoates are all salts of most easy solubility.† By treating a small calculus of uric acid alternately with a solution of biborate of soda and of benzoate of ammonia, I certainly found it reduced, dissolved and disintegrated with singular rapidity; and there can be no doubt of the immediate effect which the benzoic acid and benzoate of ammonia taken into the stomach have in rendering the urine clear and limpid in cases where it had long been turbid in consequence of depositing the lithic acid and lithate of ammonia. M. Leroy, of Paris, is reported to have used these substances in a case in which renal calculi of * On Gouty Concretions, in Trans. of Royal Med. and Chir. Society. Vol. XXIV. Lond. 1841. + Vide Berzelius' Traité de Chimie, tom. VII. p. 366. the lithic acid had for a long time been formed in large quantities. I believe them fully competent to prevent the formation of every modification of lithic acid gravel and calculus." The following is taken from the Appendix : ACTION OF THE VICHY WATERS ON CAL- "M. Chevallier* was the first who instituted direct experiments on the powers of the alkaline waters of Vichy to dissolve and disintegrate urinary calculi. The following are the particulars of some of his trials: "1. A quantity of lithic acid gravel was subjected to the action of the Vichy water, kept at a temperature of 97° F. The concretions were speedily destroyed, the lithic acid being entirely dissolved, and nothing remaining suspended in the fluid but a few loose flocculi of animal matter. "2. The half of a lithic acid calculus weighing 1 ounce, 1 drachm, 36 grains, was placed in a little bag of wire muslin, and subjected to the action of the Vichy water during 151 hours. Dried carefully and weighed after this, the calculus was found reduced to 2 drachms, 52 grains, so that in a week it had actually lost 6 drachms, 47 grains, or more than two thirds of its original weight. "3. In another experiment, five calculi,one of phosphate of lime, weighing 1 drachm, 18 grains; a second of lithic acid, weighing 1 drachm, 8 grains; a third of lithic acid, weighing 25 grains; a fourth and fifth, fragments of phosphatic calculi, weighing, the one 29 grains, and the other 13 grains,-were enclosed together in a bag of wire muslin, and exposed on the 5th September to a constant stream of the Vichy water of the temperature of about 98° F. On the 11th September, the bag, being examined, was found completely empty; the calculi of lithic acid had been dissolved; those of the phosphates disintegrated, and their particles washed through the meshes of the muslin. "Many experiments on the solution and disintegration of calculi by the Vichy waters were performed by Dr. Ch. Petit,† a few of which are here selected. "1. Two pieces of a calculus, laminæ of a large lithic acid concretion, weighing 31-38 grammes, after exposure to the action of * "Essai sur la Dissolution de la Gravelle, &c. 1837." +"Nouv. Obs. sur la Dissolution de Calculs, &c." "A gramme is about 15 grains." the Vichy water during 23 days, were found to weigh only 8.65 grammes, so that they had lost 72-79 per cent. "2. A piece of ammoniaco-magnesian phosphatic calculus, weighing 31.50 grammes, immersed for 18 days in the water, was found reduced to 17-25 grammes, so that it had lost 45-23 per cent. "3. The half of a lithic acid calculus with traces of lithate of ammonia, weighing 40-80 grammes, immersed for 30 days, was found reduced to 24.65 grammes, and had therefore lost 39.58 per cent. "4. The half of a calculus of triple phosphate of ammonia and magnesia, with traces of lithic acid, which weighed 16-25 grammes before immersion in the water, after exposure to its influence, weighed but 6-65 grammes, and had consequently lost 49.07 per cent. "5. Half of a triple phosphatic calculus, of a greyish white color, weighing 9-20 grammes, after 20 days' immersion, weighed 2.60 grammes, and thus lost 71-75 per cent. “6. A small calculus of lithic acid, weighing 2-75 grammes, after 43 days' immersion, weighed but 0.70 of a gramme, and had therefore lost 74-54 per cent. "7. Half of a calculus of lithate of ammonia, with traces of phosphate and oxalate of lime, weighing originally 3.05 grammes, after 18 days' exposure, weighed 1-20 grammes, and had lost 60-65 per cent. oxalate of lime. Such a water will, therefore, attack something like nineteen twentieths of all the known varieties of urinary concretion. "The destruction of urinary calculi by an alkaline water is found to be not merely, nor perhaps even principally, by the way of solution; it is accomplished in a very considerable degree, especially as regards those of the triple phosphate, by a kind of disintegration of their component particles. When calculi which consist principally of the oxalate or phosphate of lime are mingled with a little lithic acid, lithate of ammonia, or triple phosphate, which they are very frequently, the alkaline water attacks and disintegrates them rapidly, so that the sphere of its activity is still further extended." In Appendix E, our author, after treating of the "composition of injections for the solution of calculi, and means of using them," says : "Calculi of the oxalate of lime are beyond the reach of solvents, and ought to be removed by mechanical means,—by lithotrity if very small, and not of such hardness to induce risks of breaking or bending the lithontriptor; by lithectasy, if they be hard, or of a size exceeding a nutmeg.' Now we are of opinion that less difficulty will attend the solution of a calculus of this description than Dr. Willis imagines, as oxalate of lime may be dissolved, although not very readily, in any of the acids which will dissolve the bone phosphate, or any of the other insoluble salts of that base, among which acids are the nitric, hydrochloric, the acetic, and lactic. We conclude our notice of this work with a well-merited eulogium. It is deserving of an attentive perusal. "Contrary to the usually entertained opinion, M. Petit found that, on the whole, calculi of the triple phosphate of ammonia and magnesia lost more under the action of the Vichy water, i. e. of a solution of bicarbonate of soda in water supersaturated with carbonic acid, than those of the lithic acid. For example:As we hope shortly to take up the sub"Five specimens of lithic acid calculi, weigh-ject of the solution of stone in opposition to ing together a little more than 118 grammes, after remaining, on an average, 27 days exposed to the action of the water, lost nearly 64 grammes, or 53 per cent. of their original weight; but five specimens of the ammoniacomagnesian phosphatic calculus, which together weighed 97 grammes and only remained under the action of the water, one with another, for the space of 23 days, lost 58 grammes, or 60 per cent. of their original weight. "M. Petit, like M. Chevallier, found that the Vichy water had extremely little influence on calculi of the oxalate and phosphate of lime. This water, however, would dissolve calculi of cystine and lithic oxide, with at least as much readiness as it disintegrates and dissolves those of lithic acid and the triple phosphate. Water surcharged with carbonic acid and holding a little bicarbonate of soda in solution, is consequently a solvent for the calculi of every description that are of somewhat frequent occurrence, save those of the bigoted views of those who advocate the systems of lithotomy and lithotrity, we would suggest to such of our readers as take an interest in the matter, to study the work in question, in order that they may be the better prepared for our future observations. If the non-professional public would devote a few hours to the perusal of this treatise, we should less frequently hear of deaths from the above-mentioned operations and their consequences. KINS, M.D. With Plates. London: John SUMMARY OF METEOROLOGICAL OB- By A Guide to the Urinary Cabinet. ROBERT VENABLES, A.M., M.D. London : G. Knight and Sons, Foster Lane. TO CORRESPONDENTS. "A READER FROM THE COMMENCEMENT." -The year of Our Lord is always inserted at the bottom of the first column in each No. If our correspondent had looked there, he would have saved the confusion of which he speaks. We shall be glad of the paper promised at as early a period as convenient. If our correspondent will furnish us with his name and address, we will forward to him a copy of the Regulations of the London Electrical Society. A CORRESPONDENT (who writes from Plymouth) is thanked for his kind suggestion. The same idea, curiously enough, had occurred to us, and was being acted on, when our correspondent's letter reached us. The EDITOR of the Medical Times is informed that we are far from satisfied with his reply. We consider that the very shallow pretext of want of space by no means excuses the omission of the sources from which articles are derived. We have seen one of our original articles quoted in other Journals as from the Medical Times, because the latter periodical had omitted to append to its abstract the name of "THE CHEMIST." As regards criticism, if our contemporary uses the expression as we understand it, we assure him that we are fearless on that score. We regard the answer to our note as highly discreditable to the person who penned it. "A."-The apparatus may be obtained from Messrs. Knight and Sons, Foster Lane, Cheapside, London. PRIVATE LETTERS have been sent to several correspondents. TO SUIT the convenience of such of our readers as may wish for answers to questions sooner than can be obtained through the "NOTICES" in our Journal, we have determined on the following. Letters sent before the 10th of each month will be answered on that day by private letter; those which are sent after that time, on the 20th; after the 20th, letters will be answered in the Monthly No., or privately, on the 1st. Correspondents must send us their names and addresses; or initials, and the post-offices of their districts, will do. As this arrangement is for the benefit of our readers, postage stamps should be enclosed when private letters are requested in reply. VIRTUTAS."-Your letter shall be inserted in our next. This postponement is quite unavoidable. The pressure of the atmosphere during the month has been very variable. The greatest pressure on the 19th occurred after a thaw, and was followed by fair and mild weather. On the 13th the mercury descended lower than it has been for many years. This extraordinary depression was followed by a snow-storm, which was not of long continuance, nor accompanied by a very high wind. The temperature has generally been mild and equable, the mean heat of the day having exceeded that of the night only by 7°C. The prevailing diseases have been synochus, typhus, and a mild form of rubeola. NOTA BENE.-All Communications and Books for Review must be addressed “To the Editors of the Chemist, Care of Mr. Hastings, Publisher, 13, Carey Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London." Communications must be prepaid, and sent before the 15th of each Month; Books for Review before the 10th. THE CHEMIST. I. CHEMISTRY. ANALYSIS OF ORGANIC AND MI- | analysis of organic matters, collecting the NERAL CHARCOALS.* BY J. L. LASSAIGNE. THE different kinds of charcoal, organic and mineral, are so varied in their uses, and their properties, established with relation to the quantity of carbon which they contain, may be so often altered by the mixture of different substances, that it is important, in a great number of cases, to be able to estimate their real value. The object of this paper is to explain the simple processes to be used for analysing the charcoals of wood, bone, turf, and schist, so much used in domestic and industrial economy. WOOD CHARCOAL. This kind of charcoal, which results from the decomposition by heat of the ligneous parts of trees, contains carbon still combined with a little hydrogen, salts of potassa and lime, certain metallic oxides, and more or less moisture arising from the condensation of the vapor diffused in the air. The proportion of water, which amounts, according to Karsten, to 9 or 10 per cent. in wood charcoal, may be accurately estimated by drying at 120° C., in a platinum crucible, a given weight of charcoal reduced to powder. The volatile hydrogenous matters which remain united to the carbon in the different vegetable charcoals, might be appreciated, as M. Berthier did in his analysis by the dry way, by calcining, out of contact of the air, at a white-red heat, charcoal previously deprived of moisture. The difference of weight after the experiment would give the quantity of volatile hydrogenous matters. It would be preferable to burn a portion of dry charcoal by means of binoxide of copper, employing the apparatus used for the *Journal de Chimie Médicale, February, 1843. N. S. VOL. I.-No. IV. April, 1843. water and the carbonic acid, which would accurately show the proportion of hydrogen and carbon. The fixed matters composing the ordinary ash of charcoals would be obtained by the incineration, in contact with the air, of a certain quantity of charcoal. The nature and the quantity of the salts which form the ash would be known by washing it with warm distilled water, and filtering the liquor to separate the insoluble parts. The salts soluble in water are the subcarbonate of potassa, the sulphate of potassa, the chloride of potassium, and sometimes the subsilicate of potassa. The mixture of these different salts being obtained by the evaporation to dryness of the aqueous solution, it is divided into three or four parts. One of these portions is employed for the determination of the quantity of the carbonate of potassa, by known alkalimetrical processes; the second portion is used for estimating the proportion of sulphate of potassa by means of its decomposition by a soluble salt of baryta, after having saturated the saline solution by nitric or hydrochloric acid: the weight of dry sulphate of baryta enables us to calculate that of the anhydrous sulphate of potassa to which it corresponds. The estimation of chloride of potassium is easily made with another portion of salt, whose aqueous solution, saturated with nitric acid, must be precipitated with nitrate of silver. The presence of silicic acid may be proved by supersaturating, by any acid, the alkaline solution, evaporating to dryness, and redissolving in warm distilled water. The insoluble matters of the ash should be treated cold by weak hydrochloric acid, which decomposes and dissolves the carbonates, and renders soluble the phosphate of lime and the oxide of iron which may be found in it. The silicious sand which charcoal contains is insoluble in the latter agent. The hydrochloric solution, supersaturated by ammonia, allows phosphate of lime and U |