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therapeutics is to be sure that we have well-defined chemicals,or preparations which contain the active constituents of plants;and it is scarcely secondary that these be in the smallest pos-sible bulk and the pleasantest shape for internal exhibition orexternal use. We have often had occasion to recognise theskill and ingenuity of English pharmaceutical chemists, and tonotice their success in their own department-the preparationof medicines for the busy practitioner. Moreover, we considerit a matter, not alone of good policy, but of justice, that theinventors and successful investigators of remedial agents shouldenjoy the pecuniary benefits accruing from their labours andingenuity. We therefore invite communications from pharma-ceutists, respecting any novel or improved forms of medicines.It will be obvious that an essential condition to the insertion ofa notice of any article in our columns is, that we are honestly andaccurately informed of its nature and composition. We cannever in any degree sanction the use of secret remedies. If, how-ever, we are correctly apprised of the nature and constituents ofsubstances and compounds, we shall not be curious to learn,nor do we wish to publish, the processes by which they areprepared. In some cases it might be desirable, for a full ap-preciation of the value of preparations, to know the processesemployed; but generally, we conceive, these may be fairly leftto the inventors. It is an esoteric doctrine of our profession,that no discovery or improvement in practice should be keptsecret; but it would, we think, be straining this principle toemuch to apply it rigidly to the business of the pharmaceuticachemist, subsidiary as it is to our own art and science.

SACCHARATED WHEAT PHOSPHATES.

Under this title, Messrs. Bullock and Reynolds, of Hanover-street, Hanover-square, have submitted to us a powder, agranulated preparation, and lozenges, which they state to con-sist of the inorganic constituents of wheat and the extractivematters of the bran combined with sugar, prepared at the sug-gestion of Dr. Rake. The aim is to enable us to pres,:ribethe phosphates, more especially, and some other constituentsof wheat, removed in the process of making flour, which have ibeen deemed desirable in the debility of children and certainweaknesses in adults.These preparations are very agreeable to the taste, sweet,

with the Savour of bran, and will probably be acceptable toboth children and adults in the place of other phosphates. Theymay be added to other articles of food-puddings, gruel, milk,&c.-to sweeten them ; or used as a vehicle for iron, &c. Itseems very probable that the saline constituents of these pre-parations will be more readily digested and assimilated thanthe phosphates of lime, &c., derived directly from the mineralkingdom. They are certainly worthy of trial.

FIR WOOL OIL.

We have examined the specimen of this oil forwarded to usby Messrs. Watts and Reichardt, of Manchester, the importers.It is, in fact, the very finest sample of " turpentine"—i. e., theessential oil of the pine-we have seen. Of the special thera-peutic value of the several varieties of turpentine, we have noknowledge. These varieties are very numerous, as they arederived from different species of pine, and obtained by variousprocesses. We do know, however, that in prescribing turpen-tine, its nauseous taste is a great objection, and that if thiswere obviated it would be more frequently employed. Thesample before us has a most delicate and agreeable odour,evaporates completely when dropped on the hand, is verylimpid, bright, and of the specific gravity ’647.When, however, the importers and their German friends

extol it for the treatment of rheumatism, we may remind themthat turpentine in the hands of English physicians has not sus-tained its popular reputation ; but in renal disorders, haemor-rhages, and affections of mucous membranes, it is consideredvaluable, and a variety which shall prove genial to the palateand stomach will, doubtless, be appreciated. An emulsionmade of the specimen in question with yelk of egg appears allthat can be desired.

GRANULAR EFFERVESCING SALTS OF MINERAL WATERS.

The efficacy of those peculiar combinations of saline andchalybeate medicines that are found existing in many naturalmedicinal springs, is very generally appreciated; and thesewaters would be more frequently used but for the expense at-

tending their employment, and the difficulty, or, in manycases, impossibility of the patient’s visiting the locality of the-springs.The use of the waters at a distance from the springs is at-

tended with many inconveniences, arising from the difficultyand cost of transport, and the decomposition which in manyinstances takes place in them soon after they are bottled.

’

In order as far as may be to remedy these defects, Messrs.Savory and Moore have prepared in an effervescing form the-salts of various mineral waters, such as those of Vichy, Carls-bad, Pullna, Cheltenham, &c., as determined by the best and-most reliable analyses.The advantages of this form of preparation are evident. It,

presents in a palatable, portable, and lasting condition, reme-dial agents that, under ordinary circumstances, can only beobtained in certain fixed localities.Thus the powerful action of the waters of Carlsbad, that are so.

efficacious in glandular enlargements, and in indurations of theliver, may be made available in any part of the world.The water of Pullna, which is more energetic, because more

highly concentrated, than that of the natural spring at Seidlitz ;.also Vichy, a natural soda-water, so valuable a remedy in cases,of an acid diathesis, are equally accessible to every patient.Cheltenham water is particularly adapted to gouty patients,

or those of a plethoric or irritable habit, especially such as.labour under functional derangement of the liver, induced bylong residence in tropical climates, or by free living in anyregion. This water, which contains a much less amount ofcarbonic acid, and has a less powerful action than the waters ofPullna or Carlsbad, may be taken for a great length of timewithout inconvenience -a fact of much importance in allchronic cases. The attempt to prepare these several waters ina concentrated and effervescent form appears to us to be one ofgreat importance in a therapeutic point of view.

PARHYDOR.

This preparation possesses some valuable properties. It has.no unpleasant odour; is not adherent in warm climates; canbe boiled in water with impunity; and can be packed in largeqnantities without fear of spontaneous combustion. It neither

Correspondence.

RENOVATION OF THE TOMB OF DR. PETERCHAMBERLEN.

"Audi alteram partevu."

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Will you dome the favour to insert in your journal thefollowing letter.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,Savile-row, Feb. 1863. R. LEE.

Hanover, 18th December, 1862.My DEAR SIR,—In your most interesting paper on the

Original Obstetric Instruments of the Chamberlens in the

" Me(iico-Chirurgical Transactions," vol. xxvii., perceive at,

page 15 that on your visit to Woodbam Mortimer Churchyardyou found the tomb of Dr. Peter Chamberlen in a dilapidatedstate, and that the Court of the Coopers’ Company, to whomthe estate now belongs, declined at your request employingtheir funds to prevent the entire destruction ot the monument.Although a foreigner to your country, 1 think it shameful forthe obstetric profession to allow the dilapidation of the tombover the grave of one, as you justly say, of the most illustriousindividuals whom England has ever produced. I think thatthe medical profession should prevent such a destruction, andI am quite sure that at your request the sum necessary for therestoration of the tomb will easily be procured. In the thank-ful recollection of the blessed use I so often made in a long-practice of the instruments invented by the Cbamberleas, Ioffer for the said purpose the contribution of ..e2, which are atyour disposal whenever required. In kind remembrance of thehappy time I had the pleasure of spending with you in the year1853, I have the honour, my dear Sir, to remain,

Yours most sincerely.DR. KAUFMAN,

Physician to his Majesty the King of Hanover.To Dr. Lee, F.R.S..

4, Savile-row, Burlington-gardens, London.