SUSPICIOUS PRACTICES.

SUSPICIOUS PRACTICES.

672 of potash, add to a solution of the nitrate of lead, a solution of carbonate of soda ; a carbonate of lead will be precipitated, and which, after ...

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672 of potash, add to a solution of the nitrate of lead, a solution of carbonate of soda ; a carbonate of lead will be precipitated, and which, after the necessary adulteration, is to be dissolved in acetic acid, employing a gentle heat to accelerate the action. This acetate of lead may now be examined by means of the hydriodate of potash, when the characteristic appearance will be immediately ureseuted, even if the quantity operated upon be extremely minuie. I recommend this process chiefly, because it gets rid of one great source offallacy, viz. the accidental presence of nitric acid. Acetic acid does not interfere with the operation of the test, although it be in considerable excess ; and this to the inexperienced must be an immense advantage. If, therefore, a suspected fluid yield a black precipitate by the action of sufphmetted hydrogen soluble in nitric acid,-if this nitric solution, on the addition of an alkaline carbonate, afford a white precipitate, soluble in acetic acid; and, lastly, if this acetic solution strikea bright-yellow colour with hydriodate of potash, we have a perfect chain of evidence proving the existence of a saturnine preparation. In writing this notice, I have no wish to supersede the necessity of the reduction process, for, after all, that is the most accurate test. My object is to present the tyro with a method of employing the hydriodate of potash, should he prefer that mode of investigation, with certainty and success. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

ing hydriodate

I am induced to think the may not be unworthy of your notice. First; 1 should wish to inquire whether you thmk it very 7ionourable OlSir C. S. - to fold up and direct all has prescriptions to Mr. Garden, of Oxford Street, telling his patients that it is the only place where the drugs can be had genuine: and secondly, I wish it to be known that Mr. V-,asurgeon of some notoriety at the west end of the townps constantly o the habit of forcing his patients to take their prescriptions to a certain chemist’s situated in Bond Street, between Grosvenor Street and Bruton Street, at the same time telling them that if they go any-where else he will not be answerable for the consequences. Do you consider this plan of proceeding respectable, or do you believe he would take this trouble unless I;e had an interest in it’? But this is not all, for I have seen several instances in which he has translated the pre. scriptions, and desired the people to prepare iherri at home, by way of depriving apothe. caries or druggists of the advantage of dis. pensing them. Had he only adopted this plan for poor persons it would he excmable, but in all- the instances which have come under my knowledge it has been done for rich people who could well afford to hare them dispensed at proper places. AMICUS JUSTITLE.

centage-mongers, facts following

STEPHENSON AND

CHURCHILL’S ROTANY.

the Editor oj THE LANCET. Sir,—I obserse ’ R. R. JOHNSON. in To the last number of THE LA1!Cf:r you have tiuJan. 29, 1831. ticed in terms of commendation, Messrs. Stephenson and Churchill’s work on lledtcal Butany. I taken it in from the first number, and agree ’‘‘ Mr. Johnson’s process is exceeding- have you, that it is generally wel!-executed, though ly valuable, and will be well worth adopting with I think the editors might have, omitted some of in any case that may be met with. We may the plants, which cannot be sttielly called mediiial, or such at least as are introduced into modern add, that in acting on the sulphuret of lead cipractice. By these omissions much expense would have been spared, and the work rendered not with nitric acid, heat should not be employuseful. But the prinopat caube of my troubling ed, otherwise a sulphate of lead will be you on this occaston is to state, that I wrote some since to the editors, mahing a few remarks formed. After the application of the hy- I, time on one or two of the attictes, and reminding them driodate of soda, it is perfectly easy to re- of a pledge they gave to the pubiic, that (I]! t!u of the work they would glre an iiitio, ductton to the study of hotany, free ot expense to duce the iodide of lead on charcoal with the completion the subscribers, and nhtch the high price 01 their hlow-pipe flame, when the iodine will be publication would amply hace enabled them io do, would by this have increased the ut:htB of expelled, and metallic lead remain, surround- They work, and facilitated and promoted the study ed with the concentric circles of red and their of this pleising science. They have not thought to notice my letter, and I therefore adress yellow oxide, as before described in this properrequesting you to make what use ot this you Journal. may think necessary. With best rwahes, beiece me, Sir, yours truly,

London,

you,

Staines, Jan.

SUSPICIOUS PRACTICES.

20.

ROBERT HUNTLEY.

ATTORNEY-CORONERS.—A correspondent observes "

on

this subject, that the

As a member of the lall I would winch is tu tic

say knowledge requisite of THE LANCET. due execution of the onice of coroner may be a perusal of the 14th chapter, vol. :, of quited by SIR,—Knowing (from constantly reading the learned Blackstone’s Commentaries, and your valuable periodic&I) your detestation which, I have no hesitation asserting tl. ill acquire more of all quacks, and having noticed in your medical coroner is posseted by three-fourths v! last number the. praiseworthy manner in the subject than coroneis. legally-educated Which you have exposed some of the perTemple, January, 1831.’’

To the Editor

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in

11