Cambridge, Mass., a number of girls in the coat-room were suddenly overcome by the fumes of naphtha used in the cement on the seams of the coats. One of the girls suddenly began to laugh loudly and acted strangely and then fainted. Several others also dropped upon the floor, and before physicians could be summoned more than thirty employés were unconscious or in hysterics. The alarm spread to the other employés, but they were soon quieted by the foreman in charge, and the girls most seriously affected were sent to their homes in carriages. No serious results are anticipated in any of the cases."

The most volatile liquid product of the distillation of petroleum, rhigolene, specific gravity .625, which is the lightest known liquid, has been frequently employed as an anæsthetic in surgery, both by way of inhalation and in the spray or freezing process. This much at least has been determined, that, whatever remedial virtues may exist in the crude petroleum, they belong exclusively to its most volatile constituents, as the heavier residual products and pure paraffine are entirely destitute of any effects upon the human system. The popular "chewing gum" is composed largely of paraffine, and is destitute of deleterious effects. The crude oil is powerfully destructive of insect life, and, in the region of the wells, is largely used to protect men and animals from the attacks of mosquitos and as a protection from a poisonous gad-fly. Mechanically incorporated with soap, it is a most effectual remedy for lice, "mange" or "scab" on dogs and sheep. It has also been successfully employed for ridding plants of parasites.

Moths in garments and carpets are completely removed by a bath in naphtha.

Up to the present time, however, notwithstanding the marvellous cures which have been attributed to its use, it cannot be said to have obtained the confidence of intelligent, scientific medical men. As long as such “cures” as the following are attributed to it we can well understand this lack of faith: "A sample of Barbadoes petroleum was sent to the editor of the American Journal of Science' with the following statement: The tar is found very useful in preventing lockjaw, when the first symptoms are attended to, by rubbing the spinal bone from end to end and the muscles of the thigh and arms." Our space will neither allow, nor would it avail anything, to mention other therapeutical uses to which it has been applied.

PETROLEUM IN PHARMACY.

In this connection we have quite another record to make concerning this curious substance. Perhaps no more important contribution has been made to our Pharmacopoeia for a number of years, than the dense product known, variously, as vaseline, cosmoline, petroline, etc. The manufacturers of this material, which is found in the market under these various names, claim protection for their products under the patent laws. It is shrewdly suspected that the true secret of the process of their manufacture does not find a place in any of their specifications. Stripped of all verbiage and circumlocution, the article known as cosmoline, etc., is

neither more nor less than amorphous paraffine with a low melting-point. It is a pale yellow, translucent, slightly fluorescent, semi-solid substance. It was made the subject of special analysis and examination by Mr. J. Moss, whose paper was read at the meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society, February 2, 1876. "It melts at about 100° F., having a specific gravity of 0.850. It is insoluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol, freely so in ether, and miscible in all proportions with fixed and volatile oils. It is not acted upon by hydrochloric acid or solution of potash, and has all the other characteristics of a mixture of paraffines. An ultimate organic analysis made by him gave 97.54 per cent. of hydro-carbons. Under the microscope, vaseline, in common with most other fats, is found to contain numerous small acicular crystals, doubtless consisting of a paraffine of a higher melting point than the mass; but these do not in any way interfere with its usefulness because of their extreme minuteness and easy fusibility. Vaseline may be kept indefinitely without becoming rancid, and this, together with its indifference to chemicals and its readiness to take up any perfume, is sufficient to recommend it for pharmaceutical and toilet purposes in place of the fats generally used."

In the preparation of ointments, cerates, etc., it is in many respects very far superior to the animal or vegetable fats hitherto employed. Having no chemical affinity or action on any of the medical ingredients used, ointments compounded with vaseline as a base remain unchanged for years. Some of the ointments of the United States Pharmacopœia, as, for instance, citrine ointment (ung. hydrarg.

nitrate), which have been found exceedingly difficult to retain in good condition even for a few weeks, may now be prepared with vaseline to keep indefinitely. Simple cerate, "cold cream," so highly esteemed for excoriated surfaces, but frequently found rancid, may now be had in perfect condition. The author may divulge a “French” culinary secret in stating (but with how much correctness he is not positive) that this curious product of petroleum has found a useful place as a substitute for olive oil in frying meats and oysters. Being absolutely free from taste or smell, and quite harmless, it is said to be superior to any of the fats hitherto employed for such purposes.

Vaseline is prepared from the "residuum" of the distillation of petroleum conducted on the vacuum process. This residuum is placed in settling tanks, heated by steam, in order to keep their contents in a liquid state. After the complete separation of the fine coke, it is withdrawn from these tanks and passed through the bone-black cylinders, during which process, the color is nearly all removed, as well as the empyreumatic odor. It is supplied to the trade in tin cans containing from one to ten pounds, and to the retail trade in small, wide-mouth bottles, frequently perfumed. As thus supplied, it is a most useful and delightful addition to the toilette.

The manufacturers of petroleum ointment in Germany, who use the term vaseline almost exclusively to designate the product, employ as raw material "mountain tar," that is, crude ozocerite, from Alsace and Galicia, and residues of American petroleum, which are of semi-liquid or

unctuous condition and yield a correspondingly softer or denser vaseline.

The purification and decoloration of the raw material are accomplished, either by treating with sulphuric acid and bichromate of potassium and subsequent digestion with animal charcoal, or, by treating it with the latter substance alone. In the following, we describe two processes, furnished by two German factories. The first one accompanies a petition for the granting of the privilege of establishing the works; the second was communicated by the manufacturer.

First Process.

1. The oil is heated by steam to about 30° C. (86° F.), mixed at this temperature with 10 per cent. of its weight of sulphuric acid of 60° B., stirred for half an hour and then allowed to rest, so that the carbonized portions may separate.

2. When clear, the oil is washed with an aqueous solution of bichromate of potassium, whereby any remaining excess of sulphuric acid is, at the same time, removed.

3. The residue from the acid treatment is mixed with lime, neutralized and disposed of to manure factories.

4. The clear oil from the second step of the process, after being washed, is heated by steam to 80° C. (176° F.), mixed with 10 per cent. of its weight of granular animal charcoal, and then allowed to rest, to permit the animal charcoal to settle.