1589 ANALYTICAL RECORDS.—NEW INVENTIONS. ---ent. The proteids thrown out by sulphate of zinc amounted to 36'20 per cent. The nutrient value of albumose has already been pointed out in these columns and liquid somatose contains a very rich proportion of this soluble proteid. 'The mineral matter contained some amount of common salt. This preparation should be found to be of decided value in the sick-room. (1) HIGHLAND MALT WHISKY; AND (2) COGNAC BRANDY. (INNES, SMITH AND CO., 83, HIGH-STREET,

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... INGHAM:.) We have examined the whisky with the following results : . extractives, 0'43 per cent. ; mineral matter, 0'015 per cent. ; .alcohol, by weight 39'30 per cent., by volume 46-59 per cent., equal to proof spirit 81'64 per cent. ; acidity reckoned as acetic acid 0'024 per cent. The spirit shows excellent characteristics ; it is mild and smooth to the taste, and its flavour is evidently derived from malt. There was no suspicion of undesirable alcohols or of the presence of injurious by-products. It is therefore well adapted for medicinal purposes. The Cognac brandy gave the following results on analysis : extractives, 0'725 per cent. ; mineral ,matter, 0'005 per cent. ; alcohol, by weight 38'22 per cent., by volume 45'41 per cent., equal to proof spirit 79'57 per cent. ; acidity reckoned as acetic acid, 0'039 per cent. ; volatile ethers (equal to alcohol) 2-02 parts, per 10,000 by weight. This is a well-matured spirit, soft and acceptable to the palate. It shows also a due proportion of volatile "wine ethers." Though somewhat sweet to the °taste it contains no sugar or sweetening agent, the sweetness being due probably to the normal products of distilled wine subsequently mellowed by age. The spirit being undoubtedly pure and of satisfactory origin is accordingly suitable for use by invalids. (1) SELAMA MINERAL WATER AND (2) SOAP. (AGENTS, BARCLAY AND SoNs, 95, FARRINGDON-STREET, -LONDO-N, E.C.) Selama water, drawn from a spring in Algeria known as 'Lake Mouilah spring, presents a somewhat remarkable composition. It is practically a 1 per cent. solution of common salt, but with this mineral is associated an important quantity of silicic acid. Calculated as silica the amount is over 1 part per 10,000 parts of water. On this account the water slightly attacks the glass of the bottles containing it. It is said to possess certain ,medicinal properties, but to be more especially useful as an application to cuts or wounds or in eczema. It is said ,.also to allay irritation and inflammation arising from insect bites or other causes. We make little doubt that this property is due to some extent to the silica present, since, as is well known, the silicates are powerful antiseptics. Silicate of soda is used, for example, for preserving milk. The other ,peculiar constituents of the water doubtless add to its antiseptic value in this respect. We have received a pamphlet recording several cases of skin disease under the care of a medical man in Algeria in which distinct benefit was claimed to have been gained by the external application of this water. The water has been tried elsewhere, it is said, with similar results. A soap is prepared containing, 'it is stated, 20 per cent. of "Selama" " water. We do not understand how this can be unless the water was first 'concentrated, since the soap is very hard and practically dry, although it is of excellent quality. According to our analysis this is a mildly alkaline water I slightly charged with an excess of carbonic acid gas. The I water is particularly soft to the taste. It is related to the celebrated Vichy water which, on account of its alkaline and -saline constituents, is recognised to be of value in gastric catarrh and irritation. The sample before us gave the following I results upon analysis: total saline constituents, 3'23 grammes per litre, comprising 2-50 grammes of carbonate of soda, 0'35 gramme of common salt, and 0'38 gramme of other salts chiefly of calcium. The water gives distinct evidence of lithium and traces of arsenic. Our analysis is not completely in accordance with that printed upon the label of the bottle in regard to the amounts ; we found a smaller proportion of the salts indicated. As it is the water presents an interesting composition. especially in regard to the comparatively rarer constituents, manganese, strontium, phosphate of soda, arseniate of soda, and lithium. It was free from organic matters. It is probably serviceable in certain disordered conditions of the alimentary tract and in increasing the alkalinity of the blood. It is doubtless also of some tonic value owing to the manganese, iron, and arseniate and phosphate of soda present. The analysis of this wine gave the following results: extractives, 13 46 per cent. ; mineral matter, 0'35 per cent; sugar, 6'92 per cent. ; alcohol, by weight 14'82 per cent., by volume 18'25 per cent.. equal to proof spirit 31-99 per cent. The wine is said to contain the natural salts of Vichy water. The reaction of the wine, as we expected, was acid, whereas the salts of Vichy water are alkaline, consisting chiefly of carbonate of soda. We cannot agree that whatever medicinal effects may be ascribed to the salts of Vichy water the same effects may be also ascribed to this preparation. Even were it so the proportion of salts present, as shown in the above analysis, is very small. The wine has a flavour suggesting both cinchona bark and coca leaf. We failed, however, to extract and to recognise cocaine but we obtained a residue which gave the reactions of the active constituents of cinchona bark. The wine is described as vin hygienique, tonique, et fortifiant." SOZOIODOL. (H. TROMMSDORFF, ERFURT.) We have received a beautiful crystalline specimen of the sodium salt of this interesting compound from the above firm. Sozoiodol, which, to give its chemical name, is di-iodopara-phenol-sulphonic acid, forms an interesting series of salts with the metals, but the sodium salt seems best adapted for medical use. It forms an excellent antiseptic dusting powder. It may be regarded as an efficient substitute for iodoform, with the favourable difference that it possesses practically no objectionable iodous odour. New Inventions. THE "MARVELE" MILK BOILER OR STERILISER. THIS is a very simple and effective device for the satisfactory boiling or sterilising of milk or other fluid. It consists of two saucepans one inside the other, the larger one being provided with studs inside which keep an open space uniformly between the inner and outer pan. The outer pan serves as a hot-water jacket, so to speak, to the inner pan. The inner pan is pierced with two holes so that the liquid contained in it will find its level in the other pan. Steam is generated fairly rapidly in the outer pan, which soon heats the contents of the inner pan. By this method the risk of burning milk is reduced to a minimum. This alone is a very important advantage, for milk if left to boil in an ordinary saucepan invariably gets burnt and acquires an unpleasant taste. The Marvele " milk-boiler affords a very satisfactory way of sterilising milk or of cooking other fluids. It is possible even to concentrate milk in this boiler without the formation of products having a disagreeable taste. The inventor is Mr. Jacob Brown, of 130, South-street, Longsight, Manchester.