poison of the viper, We see it stated in some journals that the whole story is apocryphal, but as it has been the round of the medical journals, and has not yet received an authoritative denial, we may as well reproduce it here, in case it may after all be true. It is said that a certain Dr. William von Humboldt, the nephew, as is alleged, of the great traveller, having observed that the unfortunate convicts on their march from Mexico to Vera Cruz when bitten, as they often were, by a small viper abounding in those regions, died with all the symptoms of yellow fever. Sundry experiments that he made with the poison on dogs strengthened him still further in his belief of the analogy of the yellow fever and viper poisons. In order to try and modify the toxical action of the poison, he caused a piece of sheep's liver to be bitten by six vipers, he then allowed the liver to putrify, and employed the liquid produced during the decomposition for inoculation. He first inoculated several dogs. Nothing but a few febrile symptoms were developed. He then inoculated on four points the arms of twelve convicts. In the course of a few hours they became affected with frontal headache and pain in the back; by and bye a febrile state ensued, lasting from four to twelve hours, and recurring for three or four successive days; after which all symptoms ceased. Satisfied of the innocuousness of the inoculation he next operated on 200 Europeans at Vera Cruz, none of whom were attacked by yellow fever during the three following years. From 1850 to 1852 he inoculated 1,438 individuals, of whom only seven took the yellow fever, all of whom recovered. At New Orleans he inoculated 386 Irish, not one of whom was attacked, though they were in the very midst of a most fatal epidemic. The Captain General of Cuba has just authorized the establishment of an institution directed by this Dr. von Humboldt, in order to perform on a scale his prophylactic inoculations.

On Nitro-glycerine, or Glonoïne.

By M. J. E. VRIJ,

Professor of Chemistry at the Medical School of Rotterdam.

In 1847, when chemists were intent on the production of guncotton, M. Sobrero made known the fact that glycerine, when treated with a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids, yielded a similar com

pound, which he described as an oily liquid, heavier than water, in which menstruum it was almost insoluble, although readily dissolved by alcohol and ether.

According to this author, the smallest quantity of it was sufficient to produce a most violent headache, from which he concluded it would prove a most dangerous poison.

These observations attracted my attention, and in 1851 I determined to prepare some for examination. My experiment, made on a small scale, succeeded perfectly, and enabled me to corroborate the truth of M. Sobrero's statements, I found, however, that it possessed no poisonous properties, although occasioning intense headache; for upon administering ten drops to a rabbit, no symptoms of poisoning appeared.

The desire of investigating this subject further induced me to undertake the preparation of a larger quantity of this substance. The attempt, however, deprived me of my eyesight for a considerable time, in consequence of the explosion of the mixture. After my recovery I resumed my inquiries, and prepared a considerable quantity of nitro-glycerine, which enabled me to determine with greater accuracy some of its properties. The result of these experiments I communicated in 1851 to the British Association.

My attention has lately been again directed to this subject by the statement in some foreign journals, that nitro-glycerine is being employed in America as a therapeutic agent under the name of Glonoïne. Besides the interest which attaches itself to this substance in a scientific point of view, therefore, it seems to possess a certain value as a pharmaceutical agent.

This consideration induced me to try and ascertain the best mode of preparing this substance, and again reviewing its principal properties.

Preparation. After repeated experiments I found the following the best mode of preparation:-100 grammes (1543-3 grs.) of glycerine, freed as much as possible from water, and having a sp. gr. 1.262, were cautiously, and in small quantities at a time, added to 200 cubic centim. (18 ounces) of monohydrated nitric acid, previously immersed in a freezing mixture. The temperature rises upon each addition. It is therefore necessary to allow the mixture to cool down again to -10° C. (14° Fahr.) before any fresh addition is made, as it is very necessary that the temperature should never rise above 0° C. (32° Fahr.). When the glycerine and nitric acid

have formed a homogenous fluid, which may be facilitated by stirring the mixture with a glass rod, 200 cubic centim. (18 ounces) of concentrated sulphuric acid are cautiously and slowly added.

This operation is accompanied with the greatest danger, if the temperature is not continually watched. Experience, however, shows me that there is no reason for fear, provided the temperature be always kept below 0° C. (32° Fahr.).

Once I saw the temperature run up to 10° C. (50° Fahr.) without occasioning an explosion; but between 10° C. and 20° C. a violent reaction suddenly takes place, and the mixture is violently propelled from the vessel. I, however, repeat again that such an accident can be safely avoided by keeping the temperature below 0° C.

When these precautions have been taken the nitro-glycerine separates, after the addition of the sulphuric acid, in the form of an oily liquid floating on the surface, and may be collected by means of a separating funnel.

The product thus obtained, which is still contaminated with a little acid, weighs about 200 grammes (3086-6 grs.). A still further portion, however, about 20 grammes (308-6 grs.), may be obtained from the acid liquor by diluting it with water.

The products thus obtained are then dissolved in a small quantity of ether, and this solution repeatedly shaken with water till all trace of acid is removed. The ethereal solution is then heated over a water-bath till nothing more is volatilized. The resulting quantity will be about 184 grammes (2838.6 grs.). The composition of glycerine being C, H, O=92, and 100 parts of glycerine yielding 184 of nitro-glycerine, we may infer that the composition of nitroglycerine is C, H. (2 No4) O=182. I am at present endeavouring to ascertain if this inference is correct.

Properties.-Nitro-glycerine is an oleaginous liquid of a clear yellow colour, having a sp. gr. from 1.595 to 1.600. Heated to 160° C. (320° F.), it is decomposed, evolving red vapours; at a higher temperature it either explodes or inflames without any detonation.

It is difficult to determine accurately the point at which explosion takes place; it is best observed by allowing the nitro-glycerine to drop from time to time upon a piece of heated porcelain. At first it burns away with a vivid flame, but as the temperature diminishes, it violently explodes, evolving red vapours, and frequently breaking the porcelain on which it falls.

By placing a drop on an anvil and striking it with a hammer, it instantly detonates. When properly prepared and free from acid, it may be kept for any length of time. I have some in my possession which has been kept for two years without undergoing the slightest change.

Upon the addition of sulphuric acid to the ethereal solution, decomposition ensues, and a great quantity of sulphur is thrown down. I am engaged in investigating this reaction, which perhaps may throw some light on the constitution of nitro-glycerine.-Journal de Pharmacie d'Anvers, Journal de Pharmacie, and Pharmaceutical Journal, Nov. 1855.

Fas est ab hoste doceri.

Russian newspapers inform us that in Cronstadt there is a hospital containing 3000 beds, where the treatment pursued is entirely homoeopathic. To such a state of civilization we have not yet attained. Our authorities may learn something from their barbarian foe.

Homœopathy and the Empress Eugenie.

A Prussian Newspaper announces that Dr. Bönninghausen, of Münster, has been consulted by the Empress of the French. The journal goes on to give a long account of the doings and practice of Dr. Bönninghausen, which reads very like a puff. Among other things it says, that he never gives more than two globules of the 200th dilution for a dose, that he seldom descends to the 30th dilution, but often gives higher potencies than the 200th, viz., the 800th, 1,500th and 2,000th, with the most wonderful results.

The North American Homœopathic Journal.

We have much pleasure in welcoming the re-appearance of our old friend and fellow-quarterly, after a suspension of nearly two years. It has come out under a new editorial staff, with the exception of Dr. Marcy, who still sticks to the old vessel. He is assisted by three new colleagues, Drs. Peters, Holcombe and Preston, names already familiar to every student of homoeopathic literature. A novel feature in this new series, is an appendix containing a revised materia medica, by Drs. Marcy, Peters and Füllgraff, where the authors profess to register those symptoms only of the medicines which are positive and unquestionable. Every symptom recorded must have been experienced by several different provers, its

genuineness must be corroborated by the pathological changes it causes, and a similar symptom must have been repeatedly cured by the drug. As far as the authors have gone with their work, it seems very satisfactory, and we doubt not a great boon will have been conferred on homœopathy, when the revision of the whole materia medica, in this style, shall have been accomplished. Once more we give a cordial greeting to our transatlantic contemporary, after its long hybernation.

Pulse Machine.

We learn from the Zeitsch. für hom. Klin., that Dr. Hering, of Philadelphia, has invented a machine, a species of telegraph of apparently a very complicated structure, for registering the pulse's beats. Seeing that nature has provided us with a very excellent instrument for the same purpose, in the point of the finger, we imagine that Dr. Hering's instrument will be more remarkable for its ingenuity than for its utility. It reminds us of the wonderful engine for drawing corks, depicted in one of Hogarth's engravings.

Carbo Vegetabilis in Gastralgia.

A treatise on Vegetable Charcoal has recently been published. The author, Mr. J. Bird, advises the administration of this remedy in cases of Gastralgia and other painful affections of the stomach. He details a number of cases, chiefly taken from the work of a French physician, on the same subject, to show the beneficial effects of Vegetable Charcoal in these affections. The kind of wood he recommends for making the charcoal is that of the poplar tree. Homœopathists have long been familiar with the use of Carbo vegetabilis in such cases. This then is another instance of the adoption of homœopathic remedies by our opponents.

Wonderful Allopathic Discovery.

We learn from the Medical Times and Gazette (Nov. 10th, 1855), that Drs. Peacock and Andrew Clarke, of the City Hospital for Diseases of the Chest, have made the very original and novel discovery, that Nux vomica is an excellent remedy for chronic constipation, depending on atony of the muscular structure of the bowel. We must allow that this important observation entitles those gentlemen to claim an equal rank among original discoverers with Dr. Routh of" Fallacies of Homœopathy" celebrity, who recently announced in the columns of the same journal that he had found Aconite to be an excellent remedy for pneumonia.