Note 504 — PHARMACOLOGIA. (continued 4)

When it has a dark green colour, approaching to black, is compact, and very heavy, and breaks with a shining resinous fracture, we may reject it as an inferior article.

Since the publication of my experiments upon the ordinary Elaterium of Commerce, I have been favoured by Mr. Barry with the results of his trials upon the Elaterium made by W. Allen &. Co. according to the improved process of Dr. Clutterbuck; of the first sample, he found that out of ten grains, 5·5 were soluble in spirit of the specific gravity ·809, of the second 6·2, and of the third 6·4; of that prepared by the same process at Apothecaries’ Hall, 6 grs. were soluble. The residue, insoluble in the spirit, was administered to a patient, and ascertained to be perfectly inert. This report confirms beyond a doubt the great superiority of the Elaterium when prepared, without pressure, according to the suggestion of Dr. Clutterbuck.