Athothis : a satire on modern medicine / by Thomas C. Minor.

purity of chemically prepared agents, cast your spiritual glance over these numerous modern prepared medicines, and make a rapid mental analysis." " Then," answered Paulus Androcydes, in the manner of the ordinary trance medium : " I see before me— "Acetic acid, containing sulphuric and hydrochloric acid; Calomel, in which there is corrosive sublimate ; Bitartrate of potash, mixed with calcium tartrate; Benzoic acid, of cinnamic acid and vinegar; Citric acid, adulterated with oxalic acid and iodium ; Iodide of potassium, one-half bromide of potassium; Morphine, one-third quinine; Quinine, three-fourths cinchonidia; Santonin, two-thirds boracic acid; Tartrate of iron, of calcium, dextrine, and milk sugar; Chloral, of chloral alcoholates; Glycerine, mixed with glucose and mucilage; Copaiba, of turpentine, resin, and gurjun balsam." " Are you satisfied ?" demanded Athothis. " I am simply amazed," answered Paulus Androcydes. " But let me investigate these powders, as drugs in this form are most easily adulterated, and the impurity more liable to escape detection. Great heavens! I see be- fore me— " Powdered rhubarb, one-half sea biscuit and curcuma; Mustard, made of starch, red pepper, and tumeric; Gamboge, colored tartrate of lime; Linseed, of cake meal; Cubebs, of black pepper and chaff; Lycopodium, from pine pollen and dextrine; Manna, of glucose and flour; Cinchona, of red bark; Musk, three-fourths sea biscuit; Arrow root, nothing but Tacca starch; Tapioca, made of clear potato starch.