A CYCLOPÆDIA OF PRACTICAL RECEIPTS, &c. VOLUME II (continued 11)

3. (Ph. D.) Morphia (in fine powder), 1 oz.; rectified spirit, 8 fl. oz.; mix, apply a gentle heat, and add of acetic acid (sp. gr. 1·044), 4¹⁄₂ fl. dr. or q. s., until a neutral or slightly acid solution is obtained; evaporate this to the consistence of a syrup by steam or water heat, and set aside the residuum for a few days until it solidifies.

4. (Ph. L.) Similar to the Edinburgh process.

Pur. “Soluble in water and in rectified spirit” (less so in the former than the latter); “and when the spirit is distilled from the solution, it yields crystals which are totally destroyed by heat.” (Ph. L.) “100 measures of a solution of 10 gr. in ¹⁄₂ fl. oz. of water, and 5 minims of acetic acid, heated to 212° and decomposed by a very slight excess of ammonia, yield by agitation a precipitate which, in 24 hours, occupies 15¹⁄₂ measures of the liquid.” (Ph. E.)

Obs. The acetate of morphia of commerce is usually in the form of a whitish powder, and is prepared by the mere evaporation of the solution to dryness by a gentle heat. During the process a portion of the acetic acid is dissipated, and hence this preparation is seldom perfectly soluble in water, unless it has been slightly acidulated with acetic acid. In the Ph. L. 1851 this salt (in crystals) is included in the materia medica. See Morphia (above).

Morphia, Hydri′odate of. C₁₇H₁₉NO₃,HI. Syn. Morphiæ hydriodas, L. Prep. (A. T. Thomson.) Hydrochlorate of morphia, 2 parts; iodide of potassium, 1 part; dissolve each separately in a little water, mix the solutions, wash the precipitate in a little very cold water, press it in bibulous paper, redissolve it in hot water, and crystallise.

Morphia, Hydriodate of, with Iodine. Syn. Morphiæ hydriodas cum iodinio; Bouchardat’s iodure d’iodhydrate, &c.; Morphine. Prep. Mix an acid solution of sulphate of morphia with an ioduretted solution of iodide of potassium, keeping the liquid at the temperature of 140° for an hour.

Pour off the liquid, wash the scales, and dry them.—Dose, ³⁄₄ gr. at bedtime.

Morphia and Hydriodate of Zinc with Iodine. (Bouchardat.) Syn. Morphiæ et zinci hydriodas cum iodinio. Prep. Boil 1 scruple of ioduretted hydriodate of morphia¹⁄₂ gr. into 8 pills, with powdered marshmallow root and syrup.

Morphia, Hydrochlo′′rate of. C₁₇H₁₉NO₃,HI. Syn. Muriate of Morphia; Morphiæ hydrochloras (Ph. L. & Ph. B.), Morphiæ murias (Ph. E., D. & U. S.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L. 1836.) Macerate sliced opium, 1 lb., in water, 4 pints, for 30 hours; then bruise it, digest it for 20 hours more, and press it; macerate what remains a second and a third time in water until exhausted, and as often bruise and press it; mix the liquors, and evaporate at 140° Fahr. to the consistence of a syrup; add of water, 3 pints, and after defecation decant the clear portion; gradually add to this liquid crystallised chloride of lead, 2 oz. (or q. s.), dissolved in boiling water, 4 pints, until it ceases to produce a precipitate; decant the clear liquid, wash the residuum with water, and evaporate the mixed liquids, as before, that crystals may form; press these in a cloth, then dissolve them in distilled water, 1 pint, add freshly burnt animal charcoal, 1¹⁄₂ oz., digest at 120°, and filter; finally, the charcoal being washed, cautiously evaporate the mixed liquors, that pure crystals of hydrochlorate of morphia may form. To the decanted liquor from which the crystals were first separated, add of water, 1 pint, and drop in liquor of ammonia, frequently shaking, until all the morphine is precipitated; wash this precipitate with cold distilled water, saturate it with hydrochloric acid, digest with animal charcoal, 2 oz.; filter, wash the filtrate as before, and evaporate the mixed liquors, cautiously, as above, that pure crystals may be obtained.

2. (Ph. E.) Opium, 20 oz., is exhausted with water, 1 gall., in the quantity of a quart at a time, and the mixed liquors are evaporated to a pint; chloride of calcium, 1 oz., dissolved in water, 4 fl. oz., is added, and, after agitation, the liquid is placed aside to settle; the clear decanted liquid, and the washings of the sediment, are next evaporated, so that they may solidify on cooling; the cooled mass, after very strong pressure in a cloth, is redissolved in warm water, a little powdered white marble added, and the whole filtered; the filtrate is acidulated with hydrochloric acid, the solution again concentrated for crystallisation, and the crystals submitted to powerful pressure, as before; the process of solution, clarification, with powdered marble and hydrochloric acid, and crystallisation, is repeated until a snow-white mass is obtained. This is the process of Gregory and Robertson, and is one of the easiest and most productive on the large scale. To procure the salt quite white, 2 to 4 crystallisations are required, according to the power of the press employed. The Edinburgh College recommends, on the small scale, the solution, after two crystallisations, to be decoloured by means of animal charcoal; but, on the large scale, to purify the salt by repeated crystallisations alone.

3. (Ph. B.) Macerate opium, sliced, 1 lb., for 24 hours with distilled water, 2 pints, and decant. Macerate the residue for 12 hours with distilled water, 2 pints, decant, and repeat the process with the same quantity of water, subjecting the insoluble residue to strong pressure.

Unite the liquors, evaporate on a water bath to the bulk of 1 pint, and strain through calico. Pour in now chloride of calcium, ³⁄₄ oz., previously dissolved in 4 fl. oz. of distilled water, and evaporate until the solution is so far concentrated that upon cooling it becomes solid. Envelope the mass in a double fold of strong calico, and subject it to powerful pressure, preserving the dark fluid which exudes. Triturate the squeezed cake with about ¹⁄₂ pint of boiling distilled water, and, the whole being thrown upon a paper filter, wash the residue well with boiling distilled water. The filtered fluids having been evaporated as before, cooled, and solidified, again subject the mass to pressure, and if it be still much coloured, repeat this process a third time, the expressed liquids being always preserved. Dissolve the pressed cake in 6 fl. oz. of boiling distilled water, add purified animal charcoal, ¹⁄₄ oz., and digest for 20 minutes; filter; wash the filter and charcoal with boiling distilled water, and to the solution thus obtained add solution of ammonia in slight excess. Let the pure crystalline morphia which separates as the liquid cools be collected on a paper filter, and washed with cold distilled water until the washings cease to give a precipitate with solution of nitrate of silver acidulated with nitric acid.

From the dark liquids expressed in the above process an additional product may be obtained by diluting them with distilled water, precipitating with solution of potash added in considerable excess, filtering, and supersaturating the filtrate with hydrochloric acid. This acid liquid, digested with a little animal charcoal, and again filtered, gives upon the addition of ammonia a small quantity of pure morphia. Diffuse the pure morphia obtained as above through 2 oz. of boiling distilled water placed in a porcelain capsule, kept hot, and add, constantly stirring, dilute hydrochloric acid, 2 fl. oz., or q. s., proceeding with caution, so that the morphia may be entirely dissolved and a neutral solution obtained. Set aside to cool and crystallise. Drain the crystals and dry them on filtering paper. By further evaporating the mother liquor, and again cooling, additional crystals are obtained.—Dose. From ¹⁄₈th to ¹⁄₂ gr.

4. (Mohr.) By dissolving the precipitate of morphia (see Morphia, Prep. 4) in dilute hydrochloric acid, and by crystallisation, as before.

Pur., &c. It “is completely soluble in rectified¹⁄₂ fl. oz., heated to 212°, and decomposed with agitation by a faint excess of ammonia, yield a precipitate which, in 24 hours, occupies 12¹⁄₂ measures of the liquid.” (Ph. E.) It takes 20 parts of cold and about its own weight of boiling water to dissolve it. The hydrochlorate of morphia of the shops is usually, like the acetate, under the form of a white crystalline powder.

Obs. Of all the salts of morphia, this one appears to be that most suitable for medical purposes, from its free solubility, and from its solution not being liable to spontaneous decomposition, at least under ordinary circumstances. “The opium which yields the largest quantity of precipitate by carbonate of sodium yields muriate of morphia, not only in the greatest proportion, but also with the fewest crystallisations.” (Ph. E.) Smyrna opium contains the most morphine.

Morphia and Codei′a (Hydrochlorate of). Syn. Gregory’s salt; Morphiæ et codeiæ hydrochloras, L.; Sel de Gregory, Fr. This is commercial HYDROCHLORATE OF MORPHINE prepared according to Dr Gregory’s process.

Morphia Mec′onates of. (C₁₉H₂₀NO₃)₂,C₇H₂O₇. Prep. 1. (Neutral meconate of morphine; Morphiæ meconas, L.) By saturating an aqueous solution of meconic acid with morphia, and evaporating the solution by a gentle heat, so that crystals may be obtained.

(2.) Bimeconate of morphine; (Morphiæ bimeconas, L.) C₁₇H₁₉NO₃HC₇H₃O₇. Meconic acid, 11 parts; morphia, 14 parts; dissolve each separately in hot water, q. s.; mix the solutions, and either gently evaporate and crystallise, or at once evaporate to dryness.

Obs. Morphia exists in opium under the form of bimeconate, and hence this preparation of that drug has been preferred by some practitioners. A solution of this salt for medical purposes may be directly prepared from opium, by treating its solution in cold water with a little animal charcoal, filtering, gently evaporating to dryness, redissolving the residuum, in cold water, filtering, and repeating the treatment with animal charcoal. The dose of the dry bimeconate is ¹⁄₄ gr., or more; and of the meconate rather less. “A powder is also sold, called ‘bimeconate of morphia,’ which is of the same strength as powdered opium, and is given in similar doses. It is obviously incorrect to apply this name to a powder which consists principally of foreign matter. It is to be hoped that physicians will not prescribe this powder under the above name, as such a practice might lead to fatal results, if the prescription should be prepared with the substance which the name strictly indicates.” (Redwood.)

Morphia, Nitrate of. (A. T. Thomson.) Syn. Morphiæ Nitras. Add morphia in slight excess to very dilute nitric acid, filter, concentrate by gentle evaporation, and set aside that crystals may form.

Morphia, Phosphate of. Syn. Morphiæ phosphas. As the nitrate, substituting dilute phosphoric by nitric acid.

Morphia, Sul′phate of. Syn. Morphiæ sulphas, L. Prep. Saturate very dilute sulphuric acid with morphia, evaporate to one half, add a little animal charcoal, continue the evaporation for a short time longer at a gentle heat, filter whilst hot, and abandon it to spontaneous evaporation. It is decomposed by driving off the water of crystallisation. Sulphate of morphia is included in the Ph. U. S. According to Magendie, this salt sometimes agrees with patients who cannot bear the acetate.

Morphia, Tartrate of. (A. T. Thomson.) Syn. Morphiæ tartras. Prep. Saturate a solution of tartaric acid with morphiæ, concentrate by evaporation, and set aside that crystals may form. By using an excess of acid an acid tartrate may be formed.

MORPHIOM′ETRY. A name given to the process of determining the richness of opium in morphia. See Opium.

MORISON’S PILLS. See Patent medicines.

MORSU′LI. An old name applied to lozenges and masticatories. It is still retained in some foreign Pharmacopœias.

MOR′TAR is the well-known cement, made of lime, sand, and water, employed to bind bricks and stones together in the construction of walls, buildings, &c.

In the composition of mortar stone lime is preferred to that obtained from chalk, and river sand to pit or road sand. Sea sand is unfitted for mortar until it has been well soaked and washed in fresh water. Sifted coal ashes are frequently substituted for the whole or a part of the sand.

Hydraulic mortars or CEMENTS are those which, like Roman cement, are employed for works which are either constantly submerged or are frequently exposed to the action of water. The poorer sorts of limestone are chosen for this purpose, or those which contain from 8% to 25% of alumina, magnesia, and silica. Such limestones, though calcined, do not slake when moistened; but if pulverised, they absorb water without swelling up or heating, like fat lime, and afford a paste which hardens in a few days under water, but in the air they never acquire much solidity.

“The essential constituents of every good hydraulic mortar are caustic lime and silica;

“All sorts of lime are made hydraulic, in the humid way, by mixing the slaked lime with solutions of common alum or sulphate of alumina; but the best method consists in employing a solution of the silicate of potash, called liquor of flints or soluble glass, to mix in with the slaked lime or lime and clay. An hydraulic cement may also be made which will serve for the manufacture of architectural ornaments, by making a paste of pulverised chalk, with a solution of the silicate of potash. The said liquor of flints likewise gives chalk and plaster a stony hardness, by merely soaking them in it after they are cut or moulded to a proper shape. On exposure to the air they get progressively indurated. Superficial hardness may be readily procured by washing over the surface of chalk, &c., with liquor of flints, by means of a brush. This method affords an easy and elegant method of giving a stony crust to the plastered walls and ceilings of apartments; as also to statues and busts cast in gypsum mixed with chalk.”

Under Prof. Kuhlman’s patent, dated April, 1841, “instead of calcining the limestone with clay and sand alone, as has been hitherto commonly practised, this inventor introduces a small quantity of soda, or, preferably, potash, in the state of sulphate, carbonate, or muriate; salts susceptible of forming silicates when the earthy mixture is calcined. The alkaline salt, equal in weight to about 1-5th that of the lime, is introduced in solution among the earths.” (Ure.)

The hardening of the common mortars and cements is in a great measure due to the gradual absorption of carbonic acid; but even after a very great length of time this conversion into carbonate is not complete. Good mortar, under favorable circumstances, acquires extreme hardness by age.

Attempts have been made at various times to introduce the use of bituminous cements into this country, and thus to restore both to land and submarine architecture a valuable material which has now lain neglected for a period of fully thirty centuries; but, unfortunately, owing to the interest of our great building and engineering firms lying in another direction, these attempts have been hitherto unsuccessful. See Asphaltum, Cement, Lime, &c.

MORTIFICA′TION Syn. Gangrene; Gangrena, Mortification, L. Local death; the loss of vitality in one part of the animal body, whilst the rest continues living. “The terms gangrene and mortification are often used synonymously; but gangrene properly signifies the state which immediately precedes mortification, while the complete mortification, or absolute death of a part, is called sphacelus. A part which has passed into the state of sphacelus is called a slough.

MOSA′IC GOLD. See Brass, Gold, &c.

MOS′SES. Syn. Musci, L. Several vegetables of the natural orders Algæ, Fungi, Lichenes, and Musci, commonly pass under this name with the vulgar. Of these the following are the principal:—

Bog moss (Sphagnum palustre). Very retentive of moisture. Used to pack up plants for exportation.

Ceylon moss (Gracilaria candida). Very nutritive; made into a decoction or jelly, which is highly esteemed as an article of diet for invalids and children, more especially for those suffering under affections of the mucous membranes or phthisis.

Club moss (Lycopodium clavatum). See Lycopodium.

Corsican moss, C. worm m. (Gracilaria Helminthocorton).—Dose, ¹⁄₂ to 2 dr., in powder, mixed up with sugar; as a vermifuge.

Cup moss, C. lichen (Cladonia pyxidata). Astringent and febrifuge. A cupful of the decoction, taken warm, generally proves gently emetic. Used in hooping-cough, &c.

Fir club moss (Lycopodium Selago). Violently emetic and purgative. It is also irritant and narcotic.

Iceland moss (Cetraria Islandica). Highly nutritious and easy of digestion. The decoction is a favourite alimentary substance in affections of the lungs and digestive organs. In Iceland, after the bitter has been removed by soaking it in hot water, it is made into jelly, or dried, ground to flour, and made into bread.

Irish moss, Pearl m., Carrageen m. (Chondrus crispus). Very nutritious. The decoction or jelly is a useful and popular demulcent and emollient in pulmonary affections, dysentery, scrofula, rickets, &c. It is often employed by cooks and confectioners instead of isinglass, and by painters to make their size.

Reindeer moss (Cladonia rangiferina). Esculent, very nutritious.

MOTHER-OF-PEARL. See Pearl.

MOTH′ER WATER. See Crystallisation.

MOULDS. Numerous materials and compositions are employed for the purpose of taking moulds, among which are the following:

1. (Compo’.)—a From spermaceti, stearine or hard tallow, and white wax, equal parts, melted together. For fine work, as medals, small casts, &c.

b. From black resin, ³⁄₄ lb.; hard tallow, ¹⁄₂ lb.; beeswax, 6 oz.; as the last. For coarse work, as architectural ornaments, &c. The above are poured on the objects to be copied (previously oiled) whilst in the melted state. Articles in plaster of Paris are first soaked in water, observing that none of it remains on the surface so as to interfere with the design.

2. (Elastic.)—a. Flexible or elastic moulds may be made of gutta percha softened in boiling water, and after being freed from moisture, pressed strongly against the object to be copied by means of a screw press. A ring or support should be employed to prevent undue lateral spreading.

b. By the use of gelatin or glue, elastic moulds are formed capable of reproducing, with accuracy, and in a single piece, the most elaborately sculptured objects, of exquisite finish and delicacy. Casts from these are now common in the streets. The credit of the application of this substance to this purpose is due to M. H. Vincent. The process of casting consists in simply dissolving a certain quantity of gelatin in hot water until it is reduced to the state of liquid paste, when it is run over the object, previously oiled, intended to be reproduced. As it cools, the gelatin assumes a consistency offering a considerable degree of resistance, and is highly elastic, which latter quality enables it to be easily detached from the work on which it has been fitted. In the hollow formed by the gelatin the finest plaster, mixed to a thick cream with water, is next run; and when the plaster has acquired the requisite hardness, the gelatin mould is detached in the same manner as from the original. From this apparently fragile mould as many as six copies may be taken, all reproducing the original with unerring fidelity.

3. (Metallic.)—a. From fusible metal.[42]

b. (Clichée moulds.) From a fusible alloy formed of bismuth, 8 parts; lead, 5 parts; tin, 4 parts; antimony, 1 part; repeatedly melted together. The above are poured out in the melted state on a plate or slab, and after being stirred until in a pasty state, the object to be copied is strongly pressed on the alloy at the moment it begins to solidify. They are chiefly used for medals and other like objects.

c. (Chameroy’s Patent.) By melting together one part of some easily fusible metal in a crucible, and then mixing with it four parts of a metal far less readily fusible, steeped in ammonia and reduced to powder. Such a compound is stated to be of great solidity, hardness, facility of soldering, melts at a low temperature, and has great tractability in moulding to any form; and in casting takes the sharpest impressions, whilst in its nature it is peculiarly unchangeable. See Electrotype.

MOUTH COSMET′ICS. See Breath, Teeth, Lozenge, Paste, Powder, &c.

MOX′AS. Substances burnt upon the body, for the purpose of acting as counter-irritants, and allaying deep-seated pains and inflammation. They have been used in gout, rheumatism, &c. The small cone constituting the moxa is placed upon a part, lighted, and allowed to burn to its base. The Chinese and Japanese moxas are made of the downy portion of the leaves of a species of wormwood (Artemisia sinensis); but various other substances, as the pith of the sunflower, cotton, or paper, soaked in a weak solution of nitrate, chlorate, or chromate of potassium, answer as well. Larrey’s moxas consist of lycopodium, 4 oz.; nitre, 2 oz.; formed into small cones, with alcohol, and dried for some days. Dr Osborne used quicklime enclosed in a hoop of card, and moistened with water. The actual cautery is said to be preferable to any of them.

MU′CILAGE. Syn. Mucilago, L. An aqueous solution of gum, or other like substance, that gives a considerable consistency to water. See Decoction, Mixture, &c.

Mucilage, Acacia. (Ph. B.) Syn. Mucilago acaciæ. Put gum acacia, in small pieces, 4 oz., and distilled water, 6 oz., into a covered earthen jar, and stir frequently until the gum is dissolved. If necessary, strain through muslin.

Mucilage, Fenugreek. Syn. Mucilago fenugreci. Digest 1 oz. of fenugreek seed with ¹⁄₂ pint of water for 12 hours, boil, and strain with pressure.

Mucilage, Linseed. (P. Cod.) Syn. Mucilago lini. Linseed, 1 oz.; warm water, 6 oz. Digest for 6 hours, stirring now and then, and strain.

Mucilage, Liquorice. Syn. Mucilago glycyrrhizæ. From liquorice root, as MARSHMALLOW MUCILAGE.

Mucilage, Marshmallow. (P. Cod.) Syn. Mucilago althææ. Marshmallow root, 1 oz.; boiling water, 6 oz.; digest for 6 hours, and strain.

Mucilage, Quicksilver. Syn. Mucilago mercurialis plenkii. Quicksilver, 1 dr.; gum Arabic, 3 dr.; syrup of poppies, 4 oz. Mix.—Dose, ¹⁄₂ dr.

Mucilage, Sassafras. (Ph. U. S.) Syn. Mucilago sassafras. Infuse 2 dr. of pith of sassafras in 16 oz. (old measure) of boiling water for 3 hours, and strain.

Mucilage, Slippery-Elm Bark. (Ph. U. S.) Syn. Mucilago ulmi. Slippery-elm bark, sliced and bruised, 1 oz.; boiling water, 16 oz. Infuse for 2 hours.

Mucilage, Starch. (Ph. B.) Same as Decoction of starch (Ph. L.), which see.

Mucilage, Tra′gacanth. Syn. Mucilago tragacanthæ (B. P., Ph. E., and Ph. D 1826), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. E.) Tragacanth, 2 dr.; boiling water, 9 fl. oz. (8 fl. oz.—Ph. D.); macerate for 24 hours, triturate, and press through linen.

2. (B. P.) Tragacanth, in powder, 60 gr.; distilled water, 10 oz. To the water contained in a pint bottle add the tragacanth, agitate briskly for a few minutes, and again at short intervals, until the tragacanth is perfectly diffused, and has finally formed a mucilage.—Dose, 1 oz. (Should be made as required. One part of tragacanth gives more viscosity to water than twenty-five parts of gum Arabic—Squire.) Used in medicine as a demulcent, and as an application to burns, &c., and in pharmacy in making up pills, and to suspend heavy powders in liquids.

MUDAR′IN. Syn. Madarine. A peculiar substance, possessing powerful emetic properties, extracted from the root bark of Calotropis gigantea, in which it exists to the extent of 11%. (Duncan.) It is soluble in water and in alcohol, and its aqueous solution, unlike that of most other substances, gelatinises by heat, and becomes fluid again on cooling.

MUF′FINS. Prep. Take of fine flour, ¹⁄₄ peck; warm milk-and-water, 1 quart; yeast, a wine-glassful; salt, 2 oz.; mix for 15 minutes, then further add of flour, ¹⁄₄ peck, make a dough, let it rise 1 hour, roll it up, pull it into pieces, make them into balls, put them in a warm place, and when the whole dough is made into balls, shape them into muffins, and bake them on tins; turn them when half done, dip them into warm milk, and bake them to a pale brown.

MUF′FLE. See Assaying.

MUL′BERRY. Syn. Morum, L. Mulberries (MORA, MORI BACCÆ) are the fruit of Morus nigra, or black mulberry tree. They are cooling and laxative; but when eaten too freely are apt to disorder the stomach and bowels. Mulberry juice (mori succus) is officinal in the Ph. L. A syrup (SYRUPUS MORI) is made of it. It is also, occasionally, made into wine.

MUL′TUM. A mixture of extract of quassia and liquorice, used by fraudulent brewers instead of malt and hops.

MUM. A beverage prepared from wheat malt, in a similar way to ordinary beer from barley malt. A little oat and bean meal is frequently added. It was formerly much drunk in England; but its use at the present day is chiefly confined to Germany, and to Brunswick more particularly.

MUMPS. Syn. Parotitis, L. Inflammation of the parotid gland, which is situated under the ear. There is little constitutional derangement, but the cheeks become swollen and painful, and there is some difficulty in opening the mouth, and in swallowing. The treatment consists in simply keeping the part warm with flannel, and the use of warm fomentations, at the same time that the bowels are kept freely open with some mild laxative.

The mumps are said to be contagious, as, when the affection appears in a school, it generally attacks every member of it. Low, damp situations are those most favorable to this affection.

MUREX′ID. C₈N₆H₈O₆. Syn. Purpurate of ammonium.

Prep. (Gregory.) Alloxan, 7 parts; alloxantin, 4 parts; boiling water, 240 parts; dissolve, and add the solution to a cold and strong solution of carbonate of ammonia, 80 parts; crystals of murexid will separate as the liquid cools.

Obs. Murexid can be obtained directly from uric acid by the action of nitric acid and subsequent treatment with ammonia. This process is, however, very precarious, and often fails altogether.

Prop., &c. It is only very slightly soluble in cold water; freely soluble in solutions of ammonia and the fixed alkalies; the first, by exposure to the air, becomes purple, and deposits brilliant crystals of murexid. These compounds are the purpurates of Dr Prout. It forms iridescent crystals, having a metallic lustre, of a magnificent green colour by reflected light, and an equally beautiful reddish purple by transmitted light. It is soluble in boiling water, only very slightly soluble in cold water, and insoluble in alcohol and ether. A few years ago murexid was extensively used in dyeing; it is now almost superseded by rosaniline or magenta. An analogous substance, formed as above, by treating amalic acid with ammonia, is called ‘caffein-murexid.’

MU′′RIATE. An old name for hydrochlorate and chloride.

MURIATIC ACID. Syn. Hydrochloric acid, which see.

MURIDE. The name originally given to bromine by M. Balard.

MUR′RAIN. Syn. Black-leg, Black-quarter. A disease affecting meat cattle, more especially young animals, in the spring and autumn. The common symptoms are swelling and discoloration of one of the hind quarters of the animal, with consequent lameness and inability to move; a peculiar emphysema and intumescence of various parts of the body, particularly over the region of the spine, accompanied with all the common indications of putrid fever. In severe cases gangrene soon follows, and death frequently ensues in from 12 to 24 hours.

The rapid progress of this disease admits of little being done in the way of cure. Extensive scarifications of the affected part, charcoal or hot yeast poultices, or fomentations, and active purgatives, appear to constitute the

1. (Blaine.) Sweet spirit of nitre, ¹⁄₂ fl. oz.; powdered cascarilla, 2 oz.; solution of acetate of ammonia, 4 fl. oz.; yeast, 8 fl. oz.; given every 3 or 4 hours.

2 (Clater.) Laudanum and sweet spirit of nitre, of each ¹⁄₂ fl. oz.; solution of chloride of lime, ¹⁄₄ fl. oz.; prepared chalk, 1 oz.; warm gruel, 1 pint.

The apparent incurability of this disease renders it of the utmost importance to the farmer to adopt preventive measures. These should consist of the supply of wholesome food and pure water, the adoption of extreme cleanliness, and the free access of pure air to all the stalls, sheds, and other buildings in which the cattle may be sheltered. As the disease is regarded as contagious by many persons, it is prudent to separate, as speedily as possible, the healthy animals from those affected. The free use of sulphurous acid, chloride of lime, &c., as disinfectants, is also advisable.

Other and more immediate preventives consist of the occasional exhibition of a saline aperient, and the introduction of a seton into the dewlap.

MUSCULAR POWER. Fick and Wislicenus proved, in 1865, that muscular power is to a great extent produced by the oxidation of such non-nitrogenous substance as fat. Frankland has put the matter beyond dispute by a series of experiments determining the amount of potential energy locked up in muscle. Some of the conclusions at which he has arrived are extremely interesting. He considers that a muscle is a machine for the conversion of potential energy into mechanical force; that the mechanical force of the muscles is derived chiefly, if not entirely, from the oxidation of matters either contained in the blood or deposited around the muscular fibres, and not from the oxidation of the muscles themselves; that in man the chief materials used for the production of muscular power are non-nitrogenous; but nitrogenous matters can also be employed for the same purpose, and hence the greatly increased evolution of nitrogen, under the influence of a flesh diet, even with no increase of muscular exertion; that like every other part of the body, the muscles are constantly being renewed, but this renewal is scarcely perceptibly more rapid during great muscular activity than during comparative quiescence; that after the supply of sufficient albuminoid matters in the food of man to provide for the necessary renewal of the tissues, the best materials for the production both of internal and external work are non-nitrogenous matters, such as oil, fat, sugars, starch, and gum; that the non-nitrogenous matters of food which find their way into the blood yield up all their potential energy as actual energy; the nitrogenous matters, on the other hand, leave the body with a portion (at least one seventh) of their potential energy unexpended; and, lastly, that the transformation of potential energy into muscular power is necessarily accompanied by the production of heat within the body, even when the muscular power is exerted externally. This is doubtless the chief, and probably the only, source of natural heat. See Energy, Exercise.

MUSH′ROOMS. Edible fungi. The species commonly eaten in England are the Agaricus campestris, or common field or garden mushroom, used to make ketchup, and eaten either raw, stewed, or broiled;—the Morchella esculenta, or morel, used to flavour soups and gravies;—and the Tuber cibarium, or common truffle, also used as a seasoning.

Several fungi, which to the inexperienced closely resemble the common edible mushroom, possess poisonous narcotic properties, and their use has not unfrequently been productive of serious, and, in some cases, even fatal results. Unfortunately, no simple tests exist by which the edible and poisonous varieties can be distinguished from each other. So strongly was the late Professor L. C. Richards, the eminent botanist, impressed with this feeling, that though no one was better acquainted with the distinctions of fungi than he was, yet he would never eat any except such as had been raised in gardens, in mushroom beds.

“This difficulty of distinguishing edible from poisonous and noxious fungi must not be ignored. If only one out of a hundred, or for the matter of that a thousand, species were poisonous or noxious, it would not be sound advice to say that we should eat all that come to hand, and stand the chance of baneful results. Unfortunately it is the case that some of the most poisonous fungi are the most common, and there is scarcely a field, and perhaps not a single wood, which does not abound with varieties of Coprinus, the Agaricus fascicularis, and the beautifully coloured Thussula emetica, and several other very undesirable species. Some writers, and among them, if we remember rightly, the learned and enthusiastic mycologist, Dr Badham, deny the existence of any poisonous fungi in our islands, and they account for the effects which are often produced by eating varieties different from our common mushroom by stating that some people, through idiosyncrasy of constitution, are injuriously affected by all fungi; and in support of this statement they instance the well-known fact that some people experience the most unpleasant effects after eating the common edible mushroom, which chemically contains noxious ingredients. We all know that idiosyncrasy of constitution may account for much and for very strange phenomena; for instance, oysters are almost poison to some persons, while roast beef will cause hysterics in other cases; and to not a few certain odours, harmless in themselves, are causes of serious attacks of illness; but the fact remains that persons who can eat with impunity and greatly enjoy the common mushroom are unpleasantlyvice versâ, a tasteless fungus may be poisonous, but only develop its latent flavour when submitted to the cook. Dr Christison declares that a sure test of poisonous fungus is an astringent, styptic taste, and a disagreeable pungent odour; but this, again, cannot always be depended on. Nor, again, is the popular idea that a mushroom which will skin easily is wholesome altogether based on fact. What, then, is to be done to enlarge the field of our mushroom gatherers and to bring about the utilisation of food now suffered to run to waste, or, in other words, how is a knowledge of our fungi to be obtained? The only answer is that knowledge on this matter is to be got, generally speaking, as knowledge on other matters—partly from books, but more especially from oral instruction and demonstration. Such eminent authorities as Dr Badham, the Rev. M. Berkeley, Mr Cooke, and Mr Worthington Smith may be consulted with profit, and works such as that on ‘Domestic Economy,’ in which coloured plates bring accurately before the eye the different species of our fungi. And here we may mention that the plates prepared by Mr Worthington Smith, which were once at the South Kensington Museum, but now, we believe, at Bethnal Green, have done much to help the Londoner when in search for mushrooms in the country to distinguish between the good and bad species of fungi. It might be well that in our schools, where so many practically useless branches of knowledge are crammed into children both in town and country, practical lessons on fungi should be given. Those, too, who wish to learn what is to be learned on this subject should avail themselves of opportunities now often given at exhibitions and botanical meetings. At Paris, in 1876, there was an exhibition of edible and poisonous fungi, in a fresh and dry state, together with books and drawings; and a similar exhibition took place in Aberdeen two years before; and, as most of our readers are probably aware, there exists a Fungus Club, or, rather, a botanical society which makes fungi a special study. This is the Woolhope Club, which has its head quarters at Hereford, and embraces in its scientific investigations all the district between Shropshire and the Bristol Channel. One day in each autumn is devoted to a fungus hunt, and the numbers that are gathered by this enthusiastic band are something enormous. The labours of the day are closed by a dinner, at which the main dishes are composed of the spoils of the chase, dressed in the most epicurean fashion, and of other good things flavoured with the most appetising (fungus) sauces. In the annual volume published of the transactions of the club there is a description of the fungi of the district, and the best modes of cooking them. It would be a great gain to the public if at least that part dealing with fungi were generally obtainable.

“Gastronomically the ordinary mushroom, and a large number of our British fungi, are most estimable, and ketchup produced from them—not the ordinary ketchup ‘of commerce,’ which is often innocent of any fungi whatever—is to the cultivated taste of the gourmet the best of sauces. Many an epicurean has been heard to aver that after that of an oyster that of a mushroom is the finest in the whole world of gastronomy. Bacon, in his ‘Naturall Historie,’ says of mushrooms, ‘they yield a delicious meat,’ and to these commendations it may be added that they can be cooked in almost as many ways as the French can cook eggs. Their alimentary value is also great, for chemistry has revealed in them the presence of the leading principles which exist in the flesh of animals. Dr Letheby says that ‘the edible varieties are highly nutritious,’ and that well-known dietist, the late Dr Edward Smith, who was very chary of commending anything, also has a good word for them.

“Our word ‘mushroom’ is evidently an adaptation of the French mousseron, which, of course, is from mousse ‘moss’ (Latin, muscus); but the suggestion of the learned Salmasius, that the French gave this name to the edible fungus ‘because it grows only where the grass is the shortest and there is little else but moss,’ strikes one as rather weak. The mushroom, like the moss, is a cryptogamous plant; but there is little connection in any way between the two. Perhaps, then, we must look to the Greek word mucos, though only used by the grammarians, for the origin of the French word and so of our own. This was one of the terms which signified a ‘sponge,’mu in the English word and the mou in the French, though, according to analogy, the u should have been changed into a y, for the study of ‘fungi’ is termed by them mycology. It is hardly necessary to add that the words ‘fungology’ and ‘fungologist’ are hybrid compounds of Greek and Latin, which are simply intolerable to ears correct, as are many other words similarly compounded, and recently introduced into our language. The Latin fungus is plainly a weakened form of the Greek spongos, and goes to show that the idea of a ‘sponge’ was from the first associated with the fungi, and that the Greek mucos must be taken as the origin of the French mousseron and the English ‘mushroom.’ It is curious that the Greek, Latin, and English ‘fungous’ terms have all been used in a sense reflecting on some of our species. The Greek mucos represented a silly, stupid fellow, and the Plautus couples the fungi—‘soft-pated’—with the ‘fools,’ ‘stolid’ and ‘fatuous.’ In like manner in our own language, Bacon speaks of certain persons as ‘mushrooms and upstart weeds’ because of their sudden growth from a lowly origin. South, in one of his sermons, reflects on “mushroom divines who start up of a sudden,” and whose success is ‘not so good as to recommend their practice.’ Carrying out the same analogy, the late Albert Smith, if we recollect rightly, spoke of ‘stuck-up people’ as springing like mushrooms suddenly into notice, and, like them, from very questionable soil.

“One word as to the connection between fungi and what are called ‘fairy rings’ in our meadows. These fairy rings unfortunately lose all their poetry when it is known that they are simply produced by the growth of various kinds of fungi. The fungi start from a centre, owing to some peculiarity of the soil and decaying vegetable matter in it, and when they have exhausted the spot on which they originally sprang up, they enlarge their borders, as it were, and thus form circles, giving a darker tinge to the herbage affected by them. These rings increase in size annually, and thus they vary considerably in circumference. This is a prosaic but truthful explanation of the phenomenon which so often attracts the attention of children and puzzles the heads of older persons.”[43]

In cases of poisoning by fungi, vomiting should be immediately induced by an emetic and tickling the fauces with the finger or a feather; after which a purgative clyster or a strong cathartic should be administered, with ¹⁄₂ to 1 fl. dr. of ether in a glassful of water or weak brandy. As an antidote, a solution of tannin, ¹⁄₂ dr., in water, 1¹⁄₂ pint, or a decoction of ¹⁄₂ oz. of powdered galls, or of 1 oz. of powdered cinchona bark, in a like quantity of water, has been strongly recommended by M. Chansarel.

Alexis Soyer recommended the excellent method of cooking mushrooms by baking them under a glass or basin on toast, along with scalded or clotted cream, or a little melted butter, with one clove, and salt, pepper, &c., to taste. They take about ¹⁄₄ of an hour in a gentle oven or before the fire. When they are taken up, do not remove the glass for a few minutes, by which time the vapour will have become condensed and gone into the bread; but when it is, the aroma, which is the essence of the mushroom, is so powerful as to pervade the whole apartment.

MUSK. Syn. Moschus (B. P., Ph. L., E., & D.), L. “A secretion deposited in a follicle of the prepuce of Moschus moschiferus, Linn.” (Ph. L.), an animal inhabiting the mountains of Eastern Asia. It is imported from Bengal, China, and Russia; and, latterly, from the United States of America. That known as Tonquin musk is the most esteemed for its odour; but that from Russia is the only kind which reaches us in perfect bags, or which has not been tampered with. Pod musk (MOSCHUS IN VESICIS) is the bag in its natural state, containing the musk. The average weight of one of the pods is about 6 dr.; that of the grain musk which it contains, about 2¹⁄₂ dr.

Pur, &c. The musk of the shops is generally adulterated. Dried bullock’s blood or chocolate is commonly employed for this purpose, along with a little bone-black. The extent of these additions varies from 25% to 75% of the gross weight of the mixture. The blood is dried by the heat of steam or a water bath, then reduced to coarse powder, and triturated with the genuine musk in a mortar along with a few drops of liquid of ammonia. It is then either replaced in the empty pods, or it is put into bottles, and sold as grain musk. There are only three certain ways of detecting this fraud, viz.—by the inferiority of the odour, by an assay for the iron contained in the blood, or—by the microscope. Genuine musk often becomes nearly inodorous by keeping, but recovers its smell on being exposed to the vapour of ammonia, or by being moistened with ammonia water. The perfumers sometimes expose it to the fetid ammoniacal effluvia of privies for the same purpose.

Pure musk, by trituration or digestion with boiling water, loses about 75% of its weight, and the boiling solution, after precipitation with nitric acid, is nearly colourless. A solution of acetate of lead, and a cold decoction of galls, also precipitate the solution; but one of corrosive sublimate does not disturb it. The ashes left after the incineration of pure musk are neither red nor yellow, but grey, and should not exceed 5 to 6%. The Chinese appear

Uses, &c. Musk is chiefly employed for its odour. As a medicine it is a powerful stimulant and antispasmodic, and is a valuable remedy in various diseases of a spasmodic or hysterical character, or attended with low fever.—Dose, 5 to 10 grains made into an emulsion.

Musk, Factitious. Syn. Resin of amber; Resina succini, Moschus artificialis, M. factitius, L. Prep. 1. Oil of amber, 1 fl. dr.; nitric acid, 3¹⁄₂ fl. dr.; digest in a cold tumbler, and after 24 hours, wash in cold water the orange-yellow resinous matter which has formed, and carefully dry it.

2. (Elsner.) From oil of amber, 1 part; fuming nitric acid, 3 parts; as the last, but employing artificial cold to prevent any portion of the oil being carbonised.

Obs. Resin of amber smells strongly of musk, and is said to be antispasmodic and nervine. A tincture (TINCTURA RESINÆ SUCCINI) is made by dissolving 1 dr. of it in rectified spirit, 10 fl. dr., of which the dose is 1 fl. dr.; in hooping-cough, low fevers, &c.

Dr Collier mentions an artificial musk, prepared by digesting for 10 days nitric acid, ¹⁄₂ oz., on fetid animal oil, obtained by distillation, 1 oz.; then adding of rectified spirit, 1 pint, and digesting the whole for a month.

MUSK SEED. Syn. Grains d’ambrette. The seed of Abelmoschus moschatus, or musk mallow. They are chiefly used for their odour, in perfumery, hair powder, coffee, &c.

MUS′SEL. See Shell-fish.

MUST. Syn. Mustum, L. The expressed juice of ripe grapes, before fermentation. When boiled to 2-3 dr. it is called CARENUM; when boiled to ¹⁄₂, it is called SAPA. On further concentration, it yields a species of granular sugar (grape sugar.)

Must, Facti′′tious. Syn. Mustum factitium, L. Prep. Dissolve cream of tartar, ³⁄₄ oz., in boiling water, 7 pints; when cold, add of lump sugar, 2¹⁄₂ lbs.; raisins (chopped small), ¹⁄₂ lb.; digest for 3 or 4 hours, strain through flannel as quickly as possible, and add of lemon juice, ¹⁄₂ pint.

MUS′TARD. Syn. Sinapis, L. “The seed of Sinapis nigra and S. alba.” (Ph. L.) “Flour of the seeds of Sinapis nigra, generally mixed with those of Sinapis alba, and deprived of fixed oil by expression.” (Ph. E.) “The flour of the seeds.” (Ph. D.) “The seeds of the Sinapis nigra and S. alba reduced to powder and mixed.” (B. P.) That of the shops is very frequently adulterated with wheat flour. When this is the case it does not readily make a smooth paste with water, but exhibits considerable toughness, and somewhat of a stringy appearance, especially when little water and much heat is employed. The common proportions taken by some grocers are—dried common salt, wheat flour, and superfine mustard, equal parts; with turmeric, to colour, and cayenne, q. s. to give it piquancy and fire.

Uses, &c. Pure flour of mustard is used in medicine, to make stimulating poultices, pediluvia, &c. As a condiment it is useful in torpor and coldness of the digestive organs. A few years since the use of mustard seed, by spoonfuls, ad libitum, was a common and fashionable remedy in torpor or atony of the digestive organs. The practice was a revival of that recommended by Dr Cullen; but it has now again sunk into disuse. Sir John Sinclair also approved of the use of mustard seed in this way, especially for the preservation of the health of the aged. (‘Lancet,’ Jan., 1834.) See Poultices, &c.

Mustard for the Table. The common practice of preparing mustard for the table with vinegar, or still more, with boiling water, materially checks the development of those peculiar principles on which its pungency or strength almost entirely depends. To economise this substance, we should use lukewarm water only; and when flavouring matter is to be added to it, this is better deferred until after the paste is made. The following forms for ‘made mustard’ are much esteemed for their flavour:—

Prep. 1. Mustard (ground), 3¹⁄₂ lbs.; water, q. s. to form a stiff paste; in ¹⁄₂ hour add of common salt (rubbed very fine), 1 lb.; with vinegar, grape juice, lemon juice, or white wine, q. s. to reduce it to a proper consistence.

2. To the last add a little soluble cayenne pepper or essence of cayenne.

3. (Lenormand.) Best flour of mustard, 2 lbs.; fresh parsley, chervil, celery, and tarragon, of each ¹⁄₂ oz.; garlic, 1 clove; 12 salt anchovies; (all well chopped); grind well together, add of salt, 1 oz.; grape juice or sugar q. s. to sweeten; with sufficient water to form the mass into a thinnish paste by trituration in a mortar. When put into pots, a red-hot poker is to be thrust into each, and a little vinegar afterwards poured upon the surface.

4. (Moutarde a l’estragon.) From black mustard seed (gently dried until friable, and then finely powdered), 1 lb.; salt, 2 oz.; tarragon vinegar, q. s. to mix. In a similar way the French prepare several other ‘mustards,’ by employing vinegars flavoured with the respective substances, or walnut or mushroom ketchup, or the liquors of the richer pickles.

5. (Moutarde superbe.) Salt, 1¹⁄₂ lb.; scraped horseradish, 1 lb.; garlic, 2 cloves; boiling vinegar, 2 galls.; macerate in a covered vessel for 24 hours, strain, and add of flour of mustard, q. s.

6. (Patent.) Black ginger (bruised), 12 lbs.; common salt, 18 lbs.; water, 15 galls.; boil, strain, and add to each gallon flour of mustard, 5 lbs.

Mustard Leaves (Rigollot’s) are made by spreading moistened mustard on paper, and drying.

MUS′TINESS. See Malt liquors and Wines.

MU′TAGE. The term applied to the ‘matching’ of grape must to arrest the progress of fermentation. See Antiferment, Matches, &c.

MUT′TON. The flesh of sheep. That of the first quality is “between four and five years old; but at present it is rarely got above three, and often under two. The flesh ought to be of a darkish, clear, red colour, the fat firm and white, the meat short and tender when pinched, and it ought not to be too fat.” The flesh of the ‘Southdown wether’ is esteemed the finest flavoured. Mutton is one of the most wholesome of the ‘red meats,’ and in commercial importance is second only to beef. See Meat.

MY′COSE. A peculiar variety of sugar, extracted by alcohol from ergot of rye. It crystallises in colourless prisms, and is distinguished from cane sugar by not reducing the acetate of copper, when boiled with a solution of that salt.

MYLABRIS. Syn. Mylabris cichorii; Chinese blistering fly. An insect found on the flowers of the succory plant in India and China. It is about an inch and a quarter in length; sheath-wings black, each presenting anteriorly two almost quadrate, brownish-yellow spots; behind these two brownish-yellow bands, each of which equals about one sixth of the length of the sheath-wings. Its vesicant properties are due to the presence of cantharidin.

Its physiological actions are the same as those of cantharides, except that it is said not to affect the kidneys when topically applied.

MYRICIN. The portion of beeswax which is least soluble in alcohol, and saponified with difficulty.

MYRISTIC ACID. HC₁₄H₂₇O₂. A monobasic fatty acid, obtained by the saponification of myristin. It melts at 120° Fahr.

MYRIS′TIN. C₄₅H₈₆O₆. Syn. Sericine. The white, solid portion of the expressed oil of nutmegs, which is insoluble in cold alcohol. See Myristic acid.

MYROLES. In French pharmacy, solutions of oleaginous or resinous substances in the volatile oils.

MYRON′IC ACID. HC₁₀H₁₈NS₂O₁₀. Bussy has given this name to an inodorous, bitter, non-crystallisable acid, obtained by him from black mustard, in which it exists as myronate of potassium. It is soluble in water and alcohol.

MYROSIN. Syn. Emulsin or black mustard. A name given by Bussy to a peculiar substance, soluble in water, and which possesses the power of converting myronic acid, in the presence of water, into the volatile oil of mustard seed.

MYROSPERMIN. The name given by Richter to the portion of the oil of balsam of Peru, which is soluble in alcohol.

MYROX′ILIN. The name given by Richter to the portion of the oil of balsam of Peru which is insoluble in alcohol. By oxygenation it forms myroxilic acid.

MYRRH. Syn. Myrrha (B. P., Ph. L., E., & D.), L. “Gum resin exuded from the bark of Balsamodendron myrrha.” (B. P., Ph. L.)

Pur.—1. Triturate a small quantity of the powder of the suspected myrrh with an equal amount of chloride of ammonium, adding water, gradually; if the whole is readily dissolved, the myrrh is genuine; otherwise it is sophisticated with some inferior substance. (Righini.)—2. When incinerated it should not leave more than 3¹⁄₂ to 4% of ashes.

Uses, &c. Myrrh is a stimulating aromatic bitter and tonic, and is given in several diseases accompanied by relaxation and debility; especially in excessive secretions from the mucous membranes, and in disorders of the digestive organs. Externally, as an ingredient in dentifrices and rashes, in caries of the teeth, spongy and ulcerated gums, &c.—Dose, 10 to 30 gr.; either alone or combined with aloes or chalybeates.

NAILS (The) should be kept clean by the daily use of the nail-brush and soap-and-water. After wiping the hands, but whilst they are still soft from the action of the water, the skin, which is apt to grow over the nails, should be gently loosened and pressed back, which will not only preserve them neatly rounded, but will prevent the skin cracking around their roots (agnails, nail-springs), and becoming sore. The free ends or points of the nails should be pared about once a week; and biting them should be particularly avoided, as being at once destructive to their beauty and usefulness. “The (free) edge of the scarf-skin should never be pared, the surface of the nail never scraped, or the nails cleaned with any instrument whatever saving the nail-brush.” (Eras. Wilson.)

The consequences of wearing a shoe that is obviously too short for the foot are thus described by the above authority:—“In this case Nature gives us warning, by means of her agent, pain, that such a proceeding is contrary to her laws. We stop our ears, and get accustomed to the pain, which, perhaps, is not severe, and soon goes off; the shoes get a scolding for their malice, and we forget all about it for a time. But does Nature check her course to suit the convenience of thoughtless men? No, no. In a short time we find that the nail, intercepted in its forward course, has become unusually thick and hard, and has spread out so much upon the sides, that it is now growing into the flesh, and so makes a case for the doctor. Or, perhaps, the continuance of pressure may have inflamed the sensitive skin at the root, and caused a sore and painful place there. And instances are by no means infrequent in which the power of production of the nail at the root becomes

When the nails are stained or discoloured, a little lemon juice, or vinegar-and-water, is the best application. Occasionally, a little pumice-stone, in impalpable powder, or a little ‘putty powder,’ may be used along with water and a piece of soft leather or flannel for the same purpose. The frequent employment of these substances is, however, injurious to the healthy growth of the nail.

NANKEEN′. The coloured cotton cloth which bears this name was originally brought from Nankin, the ancient capital of China, and was prepared from a native cotton, of a brownish-yellow hue. It is now successfully imitated in England, and at the present time the English manufacturers supply the Canton market. In this country the colour is generally given to the cloth by successive baths of sulphate of iron and crude carbonate of soda or lime water.

NANKEEN DYE. The liquid sold under this name in the shops is a solution of annotta. It is employed to dye white calicoes of a nankeen colour; but chiefly to restore the colour of faded nankeen clothing.

NAPH′THA. Syn. Mineral naphtha; Naphtha, L. A name given to the limpid and purer varieties of PETROLEUM (which see), or ROCK OIL, which exudes from the surface of the earth in various parts of the world.

Prop. Naphtha possesses a penetrating odour and a yellow colour, but may be rendered colourless by distillation; it usually begins to boil at a temperature of about 180° Fahr., but, being a mixture of several different hydrocarbons, it has no fixed boiling-point; it is very inflammable; it does not mix with water, but imparts to that fluid its peculiar taste and smell; mixes with alcohol and oils, and dissolves sulphur, phosphorus, camphor, iodine, most of the resins, wax, fats, and spermaceti; and forms with caoutchouc a gelatinous varnish, which dries with very great difficulty.

Pur. Mineral naphtha is very frequently adulterated with oil of turpentine, a fraud which may be detected by—1. The addition of some oil of vitriol, which will, in that case, thicken and darken it.—2. Hydrochloric acid gas passed through the liquid for an hour, will occasion the formation of hydrochlorate of camphine, either at once or after a few hours’ repose, even if only 5% of oil of turpentine is present. (Dr Bolley.)—3. If a few grains of iodide of potassium and a little water are rubbed with the suspected sample, the colour of the water should continue unchanged; the presence of ¹⁄₃₀₀th part of oil turpentine will cause it to assume a red or orange colour. (Saladin.)

Uses. Naphtha is chiefly employed for the purposes of illumination, as a solvent for india rubber, and in the preparation of a very superior black pigment. It has been highly spoken of as a remedy for cholera, by Dr Andreosky, a Russian physician. See Petroleum, and below.

Naphtha, Coal-tar. Syn. Naphtha, Coal n. A mixture of volatile hydrocarbons, obtained by distilling coal-tar. It is one of the first products which comes over, and flows from the still as crude coal naphtha. To obtain rectified coal naphtha, this crude liquid is distilled, and the product agitated with 10% of concentrated sulphuric acid; when cold, the mixture is treated with 5% of peroxide of manganese, and the upper portion is submitted to further distillation. The specific gravity of this purified product is ·850. It is extensively used as a solvent of caoutchouc, and other allied substances, also of resins for the preparation of varnishes. By repeated purification and fractional distillation, benzol, the chief and most important constituent of coal naphtha, is obtained. See Benzol.

Naphtha, Wood. See Pyroxylic spirit.

NAPH′THALIN. C₁₀H₉. Syn. Naphthaline, Naphthalene. A white crystallisable, odorous, volatile substance, obtained from coal-tar.

Prep. The last portion of the volatile oily product is collected separately, and allowed to repose, when crude naphthalin separates in the solid state. By pushing the distillation until the residuum in the still begins to char, a further portion of dark-coloured naphthalin may be obtained. It is purified by resublimation a second, or even a third time.

Prop., &c. Soluble in alcohol and ether; slightly soluble in boiling water; melts at 176° Fahr.; boils at 412°; highly inflammable, burning with a red and smoky flame; with sulphuric acid, it unites to form sulpho-naphthalic acid. By the action of nitric acid upon naphthalin, numerous substances may be formed, the most interesting being nitro-naphthalin. Naphthalin has lately been extensively employed as a stimulating expectorant.—Dose, 5 to 20 gr.; or, preferably, ¹⁄₂ gr., frequently. Externally, made into an ointment, in dry tetters, psoriasis, &c. 30 gr. may be mixed with 1 oz. of lard.

NA′PLES YEL′LOW. See Yellow pigments.

NAR′CEIA. C₂₃H₂₀G₉. Syn. Narceina, Narceia. A peculiar substance discovered by Pelletier in opium. It is obtained from the aqueous solution of opium, after it has been freed from morphia, and narcotina, by ammonia, by adding to it hydrate of lime, or preferably, baryta. On boiling the filtered solution, to expel the ammonia, and evaporating the liquid, crystals of narceine are gradually deposited. It may be purified by solution in hot alcohol and recrystallisation.

Prop., &c. White, silky, acicular prisms; neutral; inodorous; bitter; pungent; soluble in 375 parts of water at 60°, and in 330 parts at 212° Fahr.; insoluble in ether; does not neutralise the acids, and is destitute of basic properties. It is distinguished from morphia

NAR′COTICS. Syn. Stupefacients; Narcotica, Stupefacientia, L. Medicines which produce drowsiness, sleep, and stupor. In small doses, narcotics mostly act as stimulants, but in larger ones they produce calmness of mind, drowsiness, and torpor; and in poisonous doses, delirium, coma, and death. The general objects in the administration of these agents are the production of sleep and the alleviation of pain. Their action is modified to a greater degree by idiosyncrasy and habit than that of, perhaps, any other class of medicines. Hence the care necessary in their administration. Alcohol, camphor, chloroform, chloral hydrate, ether, foxglove, hemlock, henbane, morphia, opium, and tobacco, are narcotics.

NAR′COTINA. C₂₂H₂₃NO₇. Syn. Narcotine, L.; Sel d’opium, Matière de Derosne, Fr. A peculiar crystalline substance, found by Derosne in opium, and on which its stimulant property was at first supposed to depend.

Prep. 1. From opium exhausted of soluble matter by cold water, by treating it with water acidulated with acetic or hydrochloric acid, filtering, neutralising, with ammonia, and dissolving the washed precipitate in boiling alcohol; the narcotine is deposited as the liquid cools, and may be purified by solution in ether.

2. By acting on opium, previously exhausted by cold water, with ether.

Prop., &c. White, inodorous, fluted, or striated prisms; neutral to test paper; insoluble in cold water; sparingly soluble in boiling water; freely soluble in boiling alcohol and in ether. It is only feebly basic.

Narcotine is distinguished from morphia by its insipidity, solubility in ether, insolubility in alkalies, giving an orange tint to nitric acid, and a greasy stain to paper when heated on it over a candle. Another test for narcotina, said by Orfila to be characteristic, is to add to a little of the suspected substance a drop or two of oil of vitriol, and then to add a very small fragment of nitrate of potassium; the liquid speedily acquires a deep blood-red colour if narcotina is present. Morphia treated in the same way strikes a brown or olive-green colour.

Obs. The physiological action of narcotina is differently stated by different authorities. 1 gr. of it, dissolved in olive oil, killed a dog in 24 hours: but 24 gr. dissolved in acetic acid were given with impunity. (Magendie.) In the solid state it is inert; 120 gr. at a dose scarcely produce any obvious effects. (Bally.) Scruple doses have been given without injury. (Dr Roots.) It has been recently proposed as a substitute for quinine in the cure of agues. For this purpose the sulphate or hydrochlorate is preferable. 200 cases of intermittent and remittent fevers have been thus successfully treated in India. (Dr O’Shaughnessy.)—Dose, 3 to 10 gr., as an antiperiodic sedative, &c.

Turkey opium contains about 1%, and East Indian opium about 3%, of narcotine.

NA′TRIUM. See Sodium.

NA′TRON. Native carbonate of soda.

NAU′SEA. See Sickness.

NAU′SEANTS. Syn. Nauseantia, L. Substances which induce an inclination to vomit, without effecting it. See Emetics.

NAVEL, Starting of. To remedy this, take a slice of cork about the circumference of a shilling, and a little thicker; and having covered the projecting navel with a small circular piece of clean, soft linen, place the cork on the linen, strapping it into position by means of cross strips of white sticking plaster (simple lead plaster) over which the usual roller is to be adjusted. Be careful to have the plaster of sufficient length, and to see that it adheres tightly to the skin.

NEC′TAR. The fabled drink of the mythological deities. The name was formerly given to wine dulcified with honey; it is now occasionally applied to other sweet and pleasant beverages of a stimulating character. The following LIQUEURS are so called:—

Prep. 1. Chopped raisins, 2 lbs.; loaf sugar, 4 lbs.; boiling water, 2 galls.; mix, and stir frequently until cold, then add 2 lemons, sliced; proof spirit (brandy or rum), 3 pints; macerate in a covered vessel for 6 or 7 days, occasionally shaking, next strain with pressure, and let the strained liquid stand in a cold place for a week to clear; lastly, decant the clear portion, and bottle it.

2. Red ratafia, 3 gall.; oils of cassia and caraway, of each 25 drops (dissolved in); brandy, ¹⁄₂ pint; orange wine, 1 gall.; sliced oranges, 6 in no.; lump sugar, 2 lbs.; macerate for a week, decant and bottle. See Arrack (Factitious.)

NE′GUS. A well-known beverage, so named after its originator and patron, Colonel Negus. It is made of either port or sherry wine, mixed with about twice its bulk of hot water, sweetened with lump sugar, and flavoured with a little lemon juice and grated nutmeg, and a small fragment only of the yellow peel of the lemon. The addition of about 1 drop of essence of ambergris, or 8 or 10 drops of essence of vanilla, distributed between about a dozen glasses, improves it.

NEPEN′THE. A drink calculated to banish the remembrance of grief. In the “Odyssey” Homer describes Helen as administering it to Telemachus. Nothing is known respecting the composition of the ancient nepenthe. The name is applied to a preparation of opium by many old writers, and is now employed by aLIQUOR OPII SEDATIVUS,’

NER′VOUSNESS. The indescribable derangement of health, and the complication of disagreeable sensations which are popularly described under this name, quite as much deserve the serious attention of both patient and physician as any other affection to which the human frame is liable. Although, in itself, not a definite disease, it is indicative of the vital system being out of order, that its energies are failing or overtasked, and that the functions of some of its organs are languidly or imperfectly performed. This condition, if not removed, may gradually lead to the development of actual disease, and imperil life if the conditions whereon it is dependent be not detected and subdued.

The treatment of nervousness consists mainly in restoring the healthy action of the stomach and bowels, and in the use of proper exercise, especially in the open air. The stomach should not be overloaded with indigestible food, and the bowels should be occasionally relieved by the use of some mild aperient. Mental as well as bodily relaxation should be sought, and the pleasures without the vices of society should be indulged in as discretion and inclination may direct. Abernethy’s injunction to a nervous and dyspeptic lady, “Dismiss your servants, madam, and make your own beds,” should be recollected by all, and may be taken as a proof of the importance that eminent surgeon attached to exercise; his advice to the indolent and nervous dyspeptic should not be forgotten, “Live on sixpence a day—and earn it.” See Exercise, Flatulence, Hypochondriasis, Hysteria, Indigestion, &c.

NESSLER’S TEST for ammonia, &c. This, the most delicate test for ammonia, was devised by Nessler. It is prepared by saturating a solution of iodide of potassium with the biniodide of mercury, and then adding a weak solution of hydrate of sodium. The addition of a few drops of this solution, to one containing ammonia, produces a yellowish tint when only a trace of ammonia is present, but a dark brown precipitate when the ammonia is present in larger quantity. The composition of the precipitate may be represented thus:—NHg₂I. A modification of this test is applied to the detection of wood spirit in common alcohol. A dilute solution of the iodides in question in pure alcohol is formed, in the proportion of 2 or 3 gr. of the salts to 100 c.c. of alcohol. About 4 c.c. of the suspected alcohol are taken, to which are added 2 or 3 drops of the test solution, a few drops of alcoholic ammonia, and, lastly, a little alcoholic potash; if wood spirit be present, the solution will remain clear, but if the alcohol be pure, the characteristic reddish brown precipitate will appear. The precipitate is soluble in acetone, which is always present in wood spirit.

Professor Wanklyn gives the following formulæ for the preparation of the Nessler test:—Mercuric chloride in powder, 35 grammes; iodide of potassium, 90 grammes; water, 1³⁄₄ litres; heat gently till dissolved (say 20 minutes) in a large basin. Then add of stick caustic potash, 320 grammes, and 50 c.c. of saturated solution of mercuric chloride. The above will be ready for use in 2 hours, and gives maximum colour in 3 minutes.

NESTS, EDIBLE. These dietetic curiosities, which are esteemed as great gastronomic luxuries by the Chinese, are formed by several species of swallows frequenting the Indian Seas. The so-called nests chiefly abound in Java, Borneo, and the Celebes, being found in the caverns both inland and on the sea-shores of those islands.

They are not in reality birds’ nests, but merely supports, by which the bird is enabled to sustain and also to attach its nest to the rock. The nests themselves consist of grass, leaves, and seaweed; the latter of which substances it was for a long time erroneously considered formed the esculent; whereas it is the support which exclusively constitutes this Eastern table luxury.

This, in great part, consists of a peculiar mucus, of a gelatinous nature, which it has been ascertained the bird secretes and discharges from its mouth in large quantities. The Chinese mostly use it in the form of soup, and believe it to be possessed of considerable nutrient power. As many as 8,400,000 of edible nests are said to be annually imported into Canton. “The finest and whitest kind sells for £5 or £6 the lb.; but it requires about fifty nests to make up one pound. The brackets or supports are moved three times, the best being obtained in July and August.”[44]

NET′TLE RASH. See Rash.

NEURAL′GIA. Literally, pain in a nerve. “Various parts of the body are liable to be affected with excruciating pain, which is quite independent of any inflammation of the part, and which may often be traced in the course of the nerves.” These affections constitute neuralgia. One of the most distressing forms of this disease is FACIAL NEURALGIA or TIC DOULOUREUX (NEURALGIA FACIALIS), which, when it assumes a marked intermittent character, is popularly known as ‘FACE AGUE,’ Sometimes it attacks the nerves of the female breast; or those of the hand, feet, hip, or loins, in which cases it is often confounded with acute rheumatism of those parts, occurring towards the inner extremity of the eyebrow and extending over the forehead, it is known as “Brow-ague.”

The treatment, when neuralgia is symptomatic of any other affection, must be directed to the primary disease. When it is idiopathic, or an independent affection, powerful tonic medicines and powerful local counter-irritation are generally found the most successful remedies. Of tonics, carbonates of iron and bark

Plain Advice to the Neuralgic by a Family Doctor.[45]—Here, reader, are two facts, which are patent to every thinking medical man: first, this agonising complaint, called neuralgia, is very much more common or prevalent in our day than it was in the days of our forefathers; and secondly, those among us who are most apt to suffer from it are they who live in luxury, or who live too fast, and neglect to keep their bodies up to the proper health-pitch. The poor, too, are often afflicted in the same way, and those who are much confined in workshops, and badly ventilated factories. From this it is not difficult to perceive a lesson may be learned.

Little need is there to describe the symptoms of neuralgia, whether it takes the form of tic douloureux or faceache, hemicrania or half headache (sometimes, but wrongly, called sun-pain), or sciatica, in which the pain follows the course of a nerve running down the back of the leg, even at times as far as the toes. The pain when fully established is of a terribly acute kind, and indescribable burning and shooting—torture, in fact. It generally comes on without any warning at all, in one sharp twinge, which soon recurs and keeps on increasing, till the poor patient is half distracted, and his pale anxious face is beaded with perspiration.

Of the three kinds of neuralgia, the most common by far is tic, or faceache. This pain seems to ‘come out,’ as I have heard patients describe it, from a spot between the ear and temple, and spread itself over one side of the face, adown the jaws along one side of the nose, and into the eye itself. The fits of pain seem at times induced by the most trifling causes, such as a sudden start, a loud, quick sound, as the slamming of a door, or the slightest draught of cold air, a mouthful of hot tea or cold water. Sometimes the patient will get ease if he keeps in bed, with the face entirely buried in warm soft flannel, but contact with the pillow will at once induce a paroxysm. Sleep banishes the pain entirely for the time, or perhaps altogether, if the slumber has been natural, and not induced by weakening, enervating narcotics.

Now let us see for a moment what are the usual causes of neuralgia. If we know these, it will assist us materially in laying down rules for the general treatment of the complaint. And here let me premise that some cases are incurable, because they depend upon pressure by tumours of some kind at the root of the nerve, maybe a bit of bone growing into it. For remember the nerves are extremely sensitive if pressed upon directly. A kinder-hearted man than Professor L—, of Aberdeen, or ‘Sandie’ as he was familiarly termed, never lived; but he used to tell us students, “Gentlemen, in cutting down upon an artery, in one of the extremities, you will often find the artery, the vein, and the corresponding nerve lying in juxtaposition. You can easily tell the vein, but you may be puzzled to know which is nerve and which artery; give one of them, then, a slight pinch with the forceps—if it is the former, oh! won’t the patient holloa! but if he doesn’t holloa, go on, tie away.”

And I have often seen this put in practice with the very happiest results, so far as the operator was concerned. I merely mention this to prove to you that pressure on the root of a nerve may cause an incurable form of neuralgia. But do not think that I wish to frighten you! I therefore hasten to tell the perhaps afflicted reader, that these cases are very rare indeed, and that the large majority of those who suffer from the malady may be cured for the time, and the disease even prevented from returning.

I said that very often neuralgia gave no warning, but came on suddenly, but it more often comes on gradually, and is preceded by some derangement of the general health, such as indigestion. From this fact, again, the wise may take a hint.

I do not say that strong men with robust constitutions never take neuralgia, but all my experience, and that I believe of nearly all medical men, go to prove that it is more frequently an accompaniment of a weakened frame of body, with a nervous system below par. This may have been occasioned by bodily fatigue combined with want of sleep, anxiety of mind, worry, &c., or from debility from whatever cause. But I must not forget to say that indigestion is a frequent cause, and excess in eating and drinking combined with late hours in hot rooms. Another hint, please, reader. Foul air, especially living in malarious districts, will also bring on neuralgia, and in this case the attacks are generally of a periodical kind. The great majority, however, of the cases of neuralgia which come under the notice of the practitioner, are caused by decayed teeth. And this fact gives us hint number three.

Sciatica cases are at times exceedingly distressing. I shall just mention one, which I cured not long since; and we may learn something from it because the cure was so simple. A gentleman, thirty-two years of age he was, spare but wiry; from errors in diet, I elicited, he had become troubled with indigestion and heartburn, which lasted for months;

One of the most distressing things in connection with neuralgia is the length of time it sometimes lasts, and its habit of returning periodically, without giving, perhaps, any warning of its approach. The depression, too, of the nervous system which it effects is very great; even the mind to some extent suffers; the patient becomes timid and irritable, while at times even the muscles waste. The sufferer, if the complaint continues long, seems positively to age under it. That he soon recovers strength and spirits when the enemy has been driven from his stronghold, is only a proof of the recuperative power of nature in our systems, so long as youth or middle age is on our side.

Some ancient physician has said that no one thinks of taking care of his health until death stares him in the face. There is one exception, however: people very rarely die directly from neuralgia, unless it be that dreadful form of it called angina pectoris, or heart-cramp; but so great is the pain and torture from tic douloureux or sciatica, that sufferers therefrom are glad and willing to do anything that may present some hopes of relief.

The patient, then, who wishes to recover from this disease must first try to find out the cause of it, in his or her particular case. Is the digestion good? are the teeth good? is the health below par? are the spirits buoyant or the reverse? is the kind of life led that which seems to conduce to health and longevity?—these are questions which he had better put to himself and think well over before commencing any treatment except the simple means of local relief which I shall presently mention; for, depend upon it, whatsoever tends to place the system below par opens the door for the cruel foe’s entrance. And the converse is likewise true.

If you, then, suffer from tic douloureux, see, first and foremost, that it does not arise from caries of the teeth. Only a dentist can find this out for you, for a tooth may be sound enough to appearance, and yet decayed within. Often the removal of one or two teeth will effect, in an hour, the complete cure of a case that has been going on for months.

The treatment for neuralgia may be fitly divided into the topical, or that which gives relief at once, without reference to permanent cure, and the constitutional, or that which tends to remove the cause and prevent any recurrence. I shall mention the former of these first. Probably that which gives the greatest relief is the subcutaneous injection of morphia; but as this tiny but comforting operation can only be performed by some one with skill, I pass it by, and tell you of the great good that may be done by twice a day smearing the track of the nerve with the aconitine ointment; only remember, it must not be applied to an abraded surface. When it can be borne, alternate douches of hot and cold water sometimes give relief, and rubbing or shampooing the parts for some length of time may result in good.

But if the pain is at its worst, and immediate relief is needed, the inhalation of or smelling at a vial of chloroform will act like a charm. Take first a little good Scotch whiskey, with from 20 to 40 drops of the spirit of ether in it; then have, not one sniff, but two or three good sniffs at the vial of chloroform. It will not make you insensible, but it will scare away the pain. I often do good by administering one large dose of quinine. I am rather chary of advising you, however, to try it, because ten or fifteen grains of this invaluable medicine may work injury if either head or heart is easily affected.

People often complain of what they call rheumatism in the jaw, where probably the whole of the teeth in one side, not one more than another, are affected. Now the drug called sal ammoniac (chloride of ammonium) is almost a specific for this kind of faceache. It strikes me I have recommended this before—probably in my paper on the teeth—however, it will bear repeating. The dose is half a dram three or four times a day, but if it doesn’t do good after the fourth or fifth dose, it may be stopped. It is well worth a trial, and is safe.

Neuralgia and rheumatism are at times mysteriously allied, and, did space permit, I could tell you of some very strange cures effected by the use of the dumb-bells—first, I think, recommended by Dr Arnott. When the pain comes on, the patient has recourse to

Nothing probably gives more certain relief in cases of sciatica than a small blister, not bigger than a penny-piece, just over the spot where the nerve seems to come out, i. e. where the pain begins, and afterwards dusting not more than half a grain of morphia on the raw surface. And now for constitutional remedies. I will not allow any patient of mine to cuddle and fondle himself and his neuralgia over the fire or in bed one hour longer than is necessary. The mind has a wonderful effect on nervous ailments, and by letting it dwell on them you assuredly increase them; besides, the body is under par, exercise is needed, and pure air and many things besides; and therefore I prescribe activity, to begin with, not senseless walk-taking, but healthy exercise-with-a-purpose.

Medicine must not be neglected; but I assure you, unless you not only take plenty of exercise, regulate your diet, and in some way alter for the better your usual mode of life, it will just be as well, if not better, to pour the medicine down the nearest rat’s hole. That may be a plain way of putting it, but it is very true notwithstanding. Now, I think in most cases an occasional mild purgative will do good, for tonics should never be taken unless the bowels are regular; and as the liver is at times just a little to blame, a claret-glassful of Friedrichshall water may be taken twice a week with benefit. Your tonic, unless there be great fulness of blood, had better be an iron one, combined with quinine, which any chemist will compound you. Tell him you want the tincture of iron, and a little dilute hydrochloric acid, in a quinine mixture. Probably he will say the citrate of iron and quinine is better (it is more easily compounded), and then it will be for you to consider whether you will be advised by him or by your ‘Family Doctor.’ Here is a beautiful wee mixture, which you can compound for yourself, and the dose of which is a teaspoonful in a little water 3 times a day:—Take 2 oz. of tincture of quinine, ¹⁄₂ oz. of tincture of ginger, and the same quantity of pure glycerin, and mix. The following is a capital tonic to be taken after an attack of neuralgia and continued some weeks:—Liquor arsenicalis hydrochlorici, 100 drops; quinine, 30 gr.; elixir of vitriol, 2 dr.; ginger syrup, 3 oz.; mix. And the dose is a teaspoonful after every meal in a drop of water. When mentioning sal ammoniac, I ought to have said that in those cases where good is done—and they are very many—whenever the pain is gone, you should reduce the dose to 10 or 15 gr. thrice a day for a week. In some cases of sciatica, where the subject is a gouty or rheumatic one, good is done by a course of iodide of potassium in combination with tonics.

As for food, the more nourishing it is the better—good meat, plenty of eggs and milk, &c., and perhaps a little brandy and Apollinaris water.

Give up tea and coffee for a time, and use cocoa; the less oily kind is the best. My advice for the prevention of the return of neuralgia may be summed up in a few substantives—air, exercise, regularity, temperance, tonics, cocoa, and cod-liver oil.

NEUTRALISA′TION. The admixtures of an alkali or base with an acid in such proportions that neither shall predominate. A neutral compound neither turns red litmus paper blue, nor blue litmus paper red.

NEUTRALISING PROPORTIONS, Table of.

Table of the Neutralising Proportions of some of the Acids and Alkaline Carbonates omitting minute fractions. The best commercial preparations must be used.

Tartaric Acid. Citric Acid. Lemon Juice. Cr. Carb. of Soda. Bicarb. of Soda and Carb. of Potash. Bicarb. of Potash. Carbonate of Magnesia. Sesqui-carbonate of Ammonia. Bi-carbonate of Ammonia.

Grs. Grs. ʒ Grs. Grs. Grs. Grs. Grs. Grs.

10 9¹⁄₄ 2¹⁄₆ 19 11 13¹⁄₂ 6¹⁄₂ 8¹⁄₄ 10¹⁄₂

10³⁄₄ 10 2¹⁄₃ 20¹⁄₂ 12 14¹⁄₂ 7 8¹⁄₂ 11¹⁄₂

13 12 2⁴⁄₅ 25 14¹⁄₂ 17¹⁄₂ 8¹⁄₄ 10 13¹⁄₂

15 14 3¹⁄₄ 29 17 20¹⁄₃ 9¹⁄₂ 12 16

15¹⁄₂ 14¹⁄₂ 3¹⁄₃ 30 17¹⁄₄ 21 10 12¹⁄₄ 16¹⁄₂

18 17 4 34¹⁄₂ 20 24¹⁄₄ 11¹⁄₂ 14 19

20 18¹⁄₂ 4¹⁄₃ 38¹⁄₂ 22¹⁄₃ 27 12³⁄₄ 15¹⁄₂ 21

20¹⁄₂ 19 4¹⁄₂ 40 23 27¹⁄₂ 13 16 21¹⁄₂

26 24 5¹⁄₂ 50 29 35 16¹⁄₂ 18¹⁄₄ 27

27 25 5⁵⁄₆ 52 30 36 17 21 28¹⁄₂

32 30 7 61 36 43 20¹⁄₂ 25 33¹⁄₂

36 33¹⁄₂ 7⁵⁄₆ 69 40 48¹⁄₂ 23 28 38

47 44 10¹⁄₄ 90 52¹⁄₂ 63 30 37 49¹⁄₂

52 48¹⁄₂ 11¹⁄₃ 100 58 70 33 41 55

62 58 13¹⁄₂ 120 69 84 40 49 65¹⁄₂

73 68 15⁵⁄₆ 140 82 98 46¹⁄₂ 57 77

75 70 16¹⁄₄ 144 84 101 48¹⁄₂ 59 79

90 84 19¹⁄₂ 172 101 121 57¹⁄₂ 71 94¹⁄₂

92 86 20 177 103 124 59 72 97

100 93 21²⁄₃ 192 112 134 64 78 105¹⁄₂

108 100 23¹⁄₃ 206 120 145 69 84 113

180 168 39¹⁄₅ 344 202 242 115 141 190

NEW BERLIN SANITARY LIQUEUR—Gesundheits-Liqueur, neuer Berliner (Apotheker Emil Trotz). An unpleasantly-tasting bitter spicey schnapps, containing 18 per cent. of sugar. Leaves an after-taste of aloes. (Hager.)

NICK′EL. Ni. Syn. Nickelium, L. A metal obtained from kupfernickel, a native arsenide of nickel found in Westphalia; also from nickel speiss, an impure arsenio-sulphide of nickel left after the manufacture of cobalt blue from its ores.

Prep. The powdered ore is roasted first by itself, and next with charcoal powder, until all the arsenic is expelled, and a garlic odour ceases to be evolved; the residuum is mixed with sulphur 3 parts, and potassium hydrate, 1 part, and the compound is melted in a crucible with a gentle heat; the fused mass when cold, is reduced to powder, edulcorated with water, dissolved in sulphuric acid mixed with a little nitric acid, and precipitated with potassium carbonate; the precipitate (nickelous carbonate) is washed, dried, mixed with powdered charcoal, and, lastly, reduced by the heat of a powerful furnace.

When nickel predominates in the ore, after the arsenic, iron, and copper have been separated, ammonia is digested in the mixed nickelous and cobaltous oxides, and the resulting blue solution, after dilution with boiled pure water, is treated with potassium hydrate until the colour disappears, when the whole is put into an air-tight vessel, and set it aside for some time. The powder (nickelous hydrate) which subsides, after edulcoration, is mixed with charcoal, and reduced by fusion in a crucible containing some crown glass.

On the small scale, for chemical purposes, pure nickel is best obtained by moderately heating nickelous oxalate in a covered crucible lined with charcoal.

Prop. White; hard; malleable; magnetic; capable of receiving the lustre of silver; sp. gr., when hammered, about 8·82; fusibility between that of manganese and iron; it is not oxidised in the air; and is little attacked by dilute acids unless when nitric acid is present; this last acid dissolves it freely. With the acids, &c., it forms numerous compounds, most of which may be prepared by the direct solution of the carbonate. A specimen of the metal reduced from the pure oxide in a current of hydrogen was beautifully white and silvery; its sp. gr. was 8·575, and it was almost as soft as copper.

Tests. The salts of nickel in the anhydrous state are for the most part yellow; when hydrated, green,—and furnish solutions possessing a pale green colour. Solutions of its salts exhibit the following reactions:—Alkaline hydrates give a pale apple-green precipitate, insoluble in excess, but soluble in a solution of carbonate of ammonium, yielding a greenish-blue liquid. Ammonia gives a similar precipitate, soluble in excess, yielding a deep purplish-blue solution. The presence of ammonium salts or free acids interferes with this reaction. Cyanide of potassium produces a green precipitate, soluble in excess, forming an amber-coloured liquid, which is reprecipitated by hydrochloric acid. This last precipitate is scarcely soluble in excess of the acid in the cold, but readily so upon boiling the liquid. Ferrocyanide of potassium gives a greenish-white precipitate. Sulphuretted hydrogen occasions no change in solutions of nickel containing free mineral acid; but in alkaline solutions gives a black precipitate. Sulphide of ammonium in neutral solutions gives a black precipitate, soluble with difficulty in hydrochloric acid; but freely soluble in aqua regia.

Estim. Nickel may be thrown down from its ore in the form of either carbonate or hydrate, and after ignition may be weighed as oxide, each grain of which is equal to ⁷⁄₈ gr. of pure nickel; or, more accurately, ·7871 gr.

According to Rose, nickel may be separated from cobalt as follows:—The mixed metals are dissolved in considerable excess of hydrochloric acids, and the solution is diluted with a very large quantity of water; a current of chlorine is then passed through the liquor for several hours, and the upper part of the flask is left filled with the gas after the current has ceased; barium carbonate is next added, in excess, the whole digested together, with frequent agitation for 15 or 18 hours, and then thrown on a filter. The filtrate yields pure nickelous oxide by precipitation with hydrate of potassium; whilst the residuum on the filter, after being washed in water, dissolved in hot hydrochloric acid, and the barium precipitated with sulphuric acid, furnishes, with hydrate of potassium, a precipitate of cobaltous hydrate, free from nickel, which, when washed and dried, is reduced in a platinum or porcelain crucible by hydrogen gas.

Uses. Nickel is chiefly employed in the manufacture of German silver. Some of its salts have been recently introduced into medical practice, and appear likely to prove most valuable additions to the materia medica. It has also been recently used for deposition by

Nickelic Oxide. Ni₂O₃. Syn. Sesquioxide of nickel, Peroxide of nickel. Prep. By passing chlorine through water holding the hydrate in suspension; or by mixing a salt of nickel with bleaching powder. An insoluble, black powder, which is decomposed by heat.

Nick′elous Ace′tate. Ni(C₂H₃O₂)₂. Syn. Nickelii acetas, L. Prep. By neutralising acetic acid with nickelous carbonate, and gently concentrating by evaporation, so that crystals may form. Small green crystals, soluble in 6 parts of water.

Nickelous Car′bonate. NiCO₃ Syn. Nickelii carbonas, L. Prep. This salt may be obtained in the manner described above in connection with the preparation of metallic nickel, or by simply adding carbonate of sodium to a solution of nickelous chloride of sulphate, but in this case some hydrate is precipitated along with it. The following is another formula which produces a nearly pure carbonate, but one which may still contain a little cobalt, the entire separation of which is a matter of extreme difficulty, and can best be effected in the manner recommended by Rose, described above:—

The mineral (crude speiss or kupfernickel) is broken into small fragments, mixed with from one fourth to one half its weight of iron filings, and the whole dissolved in aqua regia; the solution is gently evaporated to dryness, the residue treated with boiling water, and the insoluble ferrous arseniate removed by filtration; the liquid is next acidulated with hydrochloric acid, treated with sulphuretted hydrogen, in excess, to precipitate the copper, and, after filtration, is boiled with a little nitric acid, to bring back the iron into ferric salts; to the cold and largely diluted liquid a solution of bicarbonate of sodium is gradually added, and the ferric oxide separated by filtration; lastly, the filtered solution is boiled with carbonate of sodium in excess, and the pale green precipitate of carbonate collected, washed, and dried.

Uses, &c. It is freely soluble in the acids, and is chiefly employed to prepare the salts and other compounds of nickel.

Nickelous Chlo′′ride. NiCl₂. Syn. Nickelii chloridum, L. Prep. From nickelous carbonate and hydrochloric acid, as the acetate. Small green crystals, of the formula NiCl₂,9Aq., which are rendered yellow and anhydrous by heat, unless they contain cobalt, when the salt retains a tint of green.

Double Chlorides. Nickelous chloride unites with the chlorides of ammonium, potassium, and sodium, to form pale green crystallisable salts, which have been used for depositing nickel in iron, lead, copper, &c.

Nickelous Hy′drate. Ni(HO)₂. By precipitating a soluble salt of nickel with caustic potassa. Hydrated. An ash-gray powder, freely soluble in acids, forming the ordinary salts of nickel.

Nickelous Ox′alate. NiC₂O₄. Syn. Nickelii oxalas, L. Prep. By adding a strong solution of oxalic acid to a like solution of nickelous sulphate, and collecting the pale bluish-green precipitate which forms after a time. Used to prepare both metallic nickel and its oxide.

Nickelous Oxide. NiO. Syn. Protoxide of nickel. Prep. 1. By heating the nitrate, carbonate, or oxalate, to redness in open vessels. Anhydrous.

Nickelous Sulphate. NiSO₄. Syn. Sulphate of nickel. Prep. Dissolve nickelous carbonate or oxide in dilute sulphuric acid, evaporate down, and crystallise. Pale green prismatic crystals, and of the formula NiSO₄,7Aq., or small pale green octahedrons, when crystallised at a higher temperature, containing NiSO₄,6Aq.

Nickelous and Potassium Sulphate. NiSO₄ K₂SO₄,6Aq. Syn. Double sulphate of nickel and potassium. Prep. By crystallising a mixture of nickelous and potassium sulphates. Pale green crystals, readily soluble in water. Sodium and ammonium sulphates form similar compounds with nickelous sulphate.

NICK′EL SIL′VER. See German silver.

NIC′OTINE. C₁₀H₁₄N₂. Syn. Nicotina, Nicotia, L. A volatile base, discovered by Reiman and Posselt in tobacco.

Prep. (Ortigosa.) Infuse tobacco leaves for 24 hours in water acidulated with sulphuric acid, strain, evaporate to a syrup, add ¹⁄₆ of its volume of a strong solution of potassa, and distil in an oil bath at 288°, occasionally adding a little water to assist the process, and prevent the too great concentration of the solution of potassa in the retort; next saturate the distilled product with oxalic acid, evaporate to dryness, digest in boiling absolute alcohol, evaporate the resulting tincture to a syrup, and decompose the oxalate of nicotine thus obtained by adding potassa to it in a close vessel, and agitate the mass with ether, repeating the process with more ether until all the nicotine is dissolved out; lastly, distil the mixed ethereal solution in an oil bath. At first ether comes over, then water, and, lastly, nicotina, which, towards the end of the process, assumes a yellowish tint.

2. (Schloesing.) This chiefly differs from the preceding by directing the concluding distillation to be conducted in a retort, by the heat of an oil bath, at the temperature of 284° Fahr., in a current of hydrogen, for 12 hours; after which, by raising the heat to 356° Fahr., the nicotine distils over pure, drop by drop.

3. (Kirchmann). A tin vessel provided with two tubulures, is filled with tobacco, which is previously damped with sodium carbonate. One of the tubulures admits a glass tube reaching nearly to the bottom of the vessel; the other is provided with a glass tube merely penetrating the cork.

The vessel is made air-tight, placed into a boiling hot steam bath, and a rapid stream of

In this manner a large yield of perfectly colourless nicotine is obtained. In order to obtain the pure alkaloid, caustic baryta is added to the solution, the latter evaporated to dryness, and the pure nicotine extracted with ether.

To estimate nicotine, weigh out 15 gr. of tobacco, digest for twenty-four hours with alcohol of 85 per cent. acidified with 15 drops of sulphuric acid, so as to make 150 cubic centimètres. Evaporate 50 cubic centimètres of the filtered liquid, and add iododydrargyrate of potassium to the residue. The number of cubic centimètres employed, multiplied by 0·00405 (0·001 of the equivalent of nicotine), gives the quantity of alkaloid contained in 5 grams of tobacco. (Linoffsky.)