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there appear names of those who neither lack talent nor industry to take any measures for the advancement of works, in the success of which they may be interested. The ideas which have been thus roughly sketched, are not intended as if originating with the writer; they, on the contrary, have been remarked by others; may they meet the eye of the editors of the journals.

IODIDES OF MECURY.

Correct processes for the preparation of these compounds, now successfully introduced in the practice of medicine, have not as yet, it is believed, been made known to the pharmaceutist; or if so, the relative proportions of the ingredients have been apparently recorded without due consideration and care, so as to cause decomposition and the union of the respective agents in their proper atomic proportion. True, it may be said that this is not absolutely requisite, that these compounds may be formed without any particular attention to this; but on the contrary, unless they are combined in their respective proportions, an unnecessary waste of some material will ensue, which, whether it be expensive or not, would indicate improper action on the part of the preparer, and should therefore always be avoided. In the following notices care has been taken only to state the proper proportions in which their components should be combined.

PROTO IODIDE.

In the process for obtaining this substance, as adopted by M. Henry, translated by Mr. Ellis, in the American Journal of Pharmacy, vol. i, page 204, (the only one which has fallen under our notice) 100 parts of proto-nitrate of mercury are added to 45.3 of iodide of potassium-when stated properly, its inaccuracy will be at once perceptible.

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In this process the relative quantity of the iodide of potassium is much too small, and the product by M. Henry is said to bet 80.3, when by calculation it is 92.2. When corrected as below and compared, the difference will be then more perceptible.

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In the process for obtaining it, given by Edwards and Vavasseur (translated by Togno and Durand, 1829,) 100 parts of the iodide of potassium are combined with 70 of bi-chloride of mercury, the action of which is as follows.

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Here the relative quantity of bi-chloride of mercury is too small, and consequently a considerable portion of the iodide of potassium remains undecomposed.

In the formula given by M. Henry, (American Journal of Pharmacy, page 205,) the 100 parts of the iodide are correctly combined with 83 of the bi-chloride, but the product is represented as only amounting to 63 parts, whereas it is 137.7 more than double the amount, as may be seen by the following schedule:

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The preparation of this iodide requires more particular attention than the former, from the active properties of one of the

articles (bi-chloride of mercury) used in its formation; it follows as a matter of course that unless the whole amount of this substance be decomposed, it will be mechanically combined with the bin-iodide that may be formed, and unless after precipitation repeated washings with distilled water be resorted to, it will necessarily impart a double activity to the bin-iodide. This is the only means by which we can satisfactorily explain the varied action of the different specimens of this valuable medical agent. Occasionally it will induce profuse ptyalism promptly, and again its effects will be comparatively slight, and even after using it for some time; when pure, it has no tendency to excite profuse ptyalism even after its continued use, and administered in comparatively large doses-nor can this be owing to any idiosyncracy of constitution, inasmuch as when given at different periods to the same individual, increased or diminished effects will be experienced from the use of it, prepared at different places. This discrepancy can only be explained on the supposition that it is caused by the occasional presence of the bi-chloride of mercury.

HYDRARGYRUM CUM CRETA.

This medical preparation has fallen into partial disuse by the physician for some time past, in consequence of not fulfilling the indications in which it is often prescribed. It had been frequently observed that, when administered in the diseases of children, in which, from its nature, or perhaps from former use, it was deemed particularly applicable, instead of producing the effect of a mild antacid and alterative, violent continued emesis has been the result to the risk of the patient and the confusion of the physician. Occasionally another variety of it would have the most delightful effect, and unaccompanied by any emetic property, but in consequence of the risk incurred in producing violent action in very young children, and the comparative uncertainty of its operation, this invaluable preparation now is seldom prescribed, and in lieu of it the pil-hydrargyri with carb. calcis. generally substituted. Of the merit of the latter combination it is not proposed to say aught, but simply to state facts as they

have occurred in relation to the hydrargyrum cum cretâ in numerous instances.

Having been alarmed frequently by the repeated emesis consequent on the administration of this substance, it occurred to me to examine it for the purpose of ascertaining the existence of any impurities; all the specimens bore the stamp of a celebrated London house, were smooth to the eye and touch, and on examination with a lenz, no metallic globules were apparent; they were of the proper peculiar greyish blue color, and nothing could be detected whereby any fault could be attached to the article in question. Several other specimens were obtained and compared with the same result. After witnessing its beneficial action on a young child laboring under cholera infantum, with considerable irritability of stomach, I was induced to make inquiry regarding the place where the prescription had been filled, and on comparing it with those that had been already examined, no difference still could be perceived. The mystery was, however, soon solved; as on making inquiry of the pharmaceutist, it was ascertained that the hyd. cum cretâ used in the prescription had been carefully prepared according to the directions of the U. S. pharmacopœia, whereas all the other specimens that had acted violently, were traced to be of English manufacture.

Repeated use of the article since has only served to convince me, that prepared by the directions of the U. S. P. there is no safer article to children of any age, and would urge all who vend it to prepare it for themselves and abolish the use of any other.

FORT R. GAMBLE, M. F.
October 11th, 1841.

REMARKS ACCOMPANYING QUARTERLY REPORT,

FOR QUARTER ENDING 30th SEPTEMBER, 1841.

BY CHARLES M'CORMICK, ASSISTANT SURGEON, UNITED STATES ARMY.

FEVER has been the prevailing disease during this quarter, and next in frequency have been diseases of the organs connected with the digestive function. Of one hundred and sixty-seven cases of fever reported, sixteen were of the remittent, one hundred and nineteen of the quotidian, and thirty-two of the tertian type. From this it appears that in one hundred and thirty-five of the cases there were daily paroxysms of fever, and I think the strongest peculiarity of character the cases have presented this season, has been the strong tendency they have had to run into and assume the remittent type. In fact, in many of the cases it has been extremely difficult to draw a distinct and plain line of demarkation to say where the one ended and the other commenced. Some two or three have assumed the form known as "congestive fever."

The three military stations embraced in this report, appear to have been judiciously located, and are probably as healthy as could have been selected in the neighborhood, with due regard to their military importance. The only causes which operate in producing disease at these stations (excepting intemperance alone) may be considered as general to the territory. Such as malarial exhalations, atmospheric vicissitude and the exposure to which the troops are subject day and night.

In regard to the treatment of the fevers arising from these causes, my opinion has undergone a very important change within the last two years; and every day's experience during this period has tended in the most ample and satisfactory manner to convince me that this change has not only been important, but that the practice founded upon it has been judicious and successful in the

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