New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-09
MEDICAL IND SANITARY NOTES.

CRYsTALLIZED CHLOROFORM-Professo An
schutz. OF Bonn. states that in the course
of certain researches in hich the prepara-
ton OF salicylic anhydrde was involved, ne hao
occasion to use chloroform in the process when ne
found that the mixed solution, after peihg ieit lot
some time deposited in beautiful crystalline FORM
a compound OF chloroform with salicylic anhydride.
A similar compound is also found TO be FORMED
when ortho-cresotinic acid is substituted TOT uhe
salicylide the latter containing about 20 per cent
of chloroform. and the cresotinc compound ABOUT
30 DER cent: both bodies yield very pure choroform
when heated to 100 degrees c., a temperature con-
siderably below their melting points The creso-
tonic compound IS however. the more stable p0oy'
Sd mnder m" same conditions slowly gives OF
chloroform in a state OF remarkable purity. mas
Of chloroform crystailize along with these com
pounds Professor Anschutz regards the process
form on more satisfactory lines. for repeated
capitalization yields of course the purest PRODUCTS
a solid choroform compound Is also less likely
TO undergo decomposition, and the advantage OF
transporting it in this form is obvious
M1AsMAT1c ORIGIN OF CANCER.-The views
and conclusions of Professor Metschnikoh
concerning cancer and its parasites, as re-
Gently published. are the subject of much dis
cussion in the medical circles of Europe lie
states as his opinion that parasites having the
greatest analogy with coccidia are found In human
tumors this opinion being based not alone on HIS
own observations but on an examination OF tle
specmens Of the most eminent mlcrOsCoplcdi III
yestigators and who had traced the development
of these parasites in the nucleus of the cancer cell
noteworthy fact pertaining 10 these new lTes i
eations is that they bear out former clinical Oh
servatons MetschnkOff pointing out that there are
hardly any grounds for surprising cancer 10 cIin
contagious disease. whereas there IS stohS Vi d,
cal evidence show that. like other coccdial ois-
eases II is of miasmatc origin With regard 10 the
formation of spores. or 10 the mode ol reProuuc-
ton of those organisms. MetschnkoH gives no
reproduce themselves outside the BODY onlN-the
fact being that the structures which have been de-
ecrbed spores by the Russian observers nave
by no means the definite characteristics always
present In true spores.
DISEASES OF MINERS.-The alarming preva-
lence of miners consumption has directed
attention 10 the necessity for scientific
and thorough inspection of mining methods so
far as ventilation is concerned the disease. which
IS of modern origin being declared to be due TO
fnhaling poisonous gases arising from the use ana
combustion of high explosives, in which nitro
rIvcer1ne is tho powerful constituent; this sub
stance discovered in 1886 has come into mining use
only within the last twenty-five years, previous
TO which black powder was employed. so far as
can be learned from study of mining and medical
records II Is stated such disease as miners con
eumption was unknown until very lately: ana IL is
for this that II is supposed 10 be que 10
the gases arising from the use of nitro-glycerine
The is calling for the most widely eX-
tended and vell-directed investigation by physi-
clans whose practice Is in mining regions, and. II
definitely determined TO be due 20 the cause named,
the simple but urgent desideratum VIII oe tha1 or
better mine ventilation and how TO secure II: The
disease is said to be one that Is closely allied to
consumption appears to be impossible of cure. and,
20 far is known. attacks none but veteran min
and longest exposed to the influences presumed to
be the cause of it,