[339]. A very useful practical application has been made of the Pyroligneous Acid, for the purpose of correcting the excessive fœtor attendant upon mortification. Dr. Samuel W. Moore of this city, (to whom we are indebted for the suggestion,) has detailed the particulars of a case of extensive mortification of the cheek, resulting from the use of mercury, in which the acid was applied, and with the happiest success. In a case of cancerous breast, it was also used with the same object, and with similar effect. The mode of using it is simply to apply pieces of lint or linen wet with the acid to the part affected. See New-York Medical Repository, Vol. 22. p. 237.—Ed.

[340]. Aromatic Vinegar is merely an acetic solution of camphor, oil of cloves, of lavender, and of rosemary. The acetic acid used for this purpose is about 145° of the acetometer, containing 68·5 per cent. of real acid. A preparation of this kind may be extemporaneously made by putting ʒj of Acetate of Potass into a phial with a few drops of some fragrant oil, and in m xx of Sulphuric Acid.

Thieves Vinegar, or Marseilles Vinegar, is a pleasant solution of essential oils and camphor, in vinegar; the Edinburgh Pharmacopœia has given a formula for its preparation under the title of “Acetum Aromaticum.” The repute of this preparation as a prophylactic in contagious fevers is said to have arisen from the confession of four thieves, who, during the plague of Marseilles, plundered the dead bodies with perfect security, and, upon being arrested, stated on condition of their lives being spared, that the use of Aromatic Vinegar had preserved them from the influence of contagion. It is on this account sometimes called “Le Vinaigre des quatre voleurs.” It was however long used before the Plague of Marseilles, for it was the constant custom of Cardinal Wolsey to carry in his hand an orange, deprived of its contents, and filled with a sponge which had been soaked in vinegar impregnated with various spices, in order to preserve himself from infection, when passing through the crowds which his splendour or office attracted. The first Plague raged in 1649, whereas Wolsey died in 1531. The French Codex has a preparation of this kind, consisting of an acetic infusion of various aromatic herbs and camphor, which is termed “Acetum Aromaticum Alliatum,” seu “Antisepticum” vulgo “des Quatre Voleurs.” p. 108. The German Dispensatories abound with Medicated Vinegars, chiefly aimed against Pestilential Diseases.

[341]. The more familiar of these are Bitter Almonds, the Cherry Laurel (Lauro Cerasus,) the leaves of the Peach tree, the kernels of fruit, pips of apples, &c. The prussic acid would appear to be most abundant in the thin pellicle that envelopes the kernel; the fleshy parts of these fruits do not contain it, and even the berries of the Lauro Cerasus may be eaten with impunity; and yet the distilled water, and oil of this plant are the most destructive of all narcotic poisons, as was evinced by the murder of Sir Theodosius Broughton, by Laurel Water; and by the untimely fate of Dr. Price, of Guildford, in the year 1782, who professing to convert Mercury into Gold, offered to repeat his experiments before an adequate tribunal, but put a period to his existence before the appointed day, by a draught of Laurel Water. Consistent with theory, the watery extract of Laurel is harmless, a fact easily explained, since the narcotic acid is entirely volatilized before the fluid can assume the consistence of an extract. The Laurel Water as a medicinal agent appears to have been long known. Linnæus, informs us that it was frequently used in Holland, in pulmonary consumption. (Amænitat. Academ. vol. iv. p. 40.) The Bark of the Prunus Padus, or Bird Cherry Tree, was ascertained to contain Prussic acid, by M. Bergemann, in 1811, and it is certainly a curious fact, as Dr. Granville has observed, that superstitious people should have selected the berries of this shrub to form necklaces, which are hung round the neck of children to prevent fits and allay cough from teething. For farther information upon this subject, the reader may consult “The Chronological recapitulation respecting the Introduction of the Prussic acid into the Practice of Physic,” in the work of Dr. Granville, above cited.

[342]. See Journal of Science and the Arts, No. xxv.

The following table comprehends their results.

Quantity of liquid Acid.Specific Gravity.Real Acid per Ct.
100·00·957016
66·60·976810·6
57·00·98159·1
50·00·98408·0
44·40·98707·3
40·00·98906·4
36·40·99005·8
33·30·99145·3
30·80·99235·0
28·60·99304·6
25·00·99404·0
22·20·99453·6
20·00·99523·2
18·20·99583·0
16·60·99642·7
15·40·99672·5
14·30·99702·3
13·30·99732·1
12·50·99742·0
11·80·99751·77
10·50·99781·68
10·00·99791·60

[343]. For a detailed account of this poison, see my work on Medical Jurisprudence, vol. ii. p. 398.

[344]. It seems to be a contest for a shadow.

[345]. We agree with our author in the general estimate which he forms of the Prussic Acid. The experience of practitioners in this country has by no means confirmed the high expectations originally entertained of this article. Ed.