PRESCRIPTION CASE DEPARTMENT. BY PROF. J. M. GOOD, PH. G., HON. M. D., DEAN ST. LOUIS COLLEGE OF PHARMACY. Correspondence for this department is solicited. Ear Drops.-A correspondent asks: "How would you compound the following so as to get a clear mixture? R Menthol Cocain. muriat., aa.. Misce. signa: 'Ear Drops.'" 3 ss. 3ii. Use the alkaloid cocaine instead of the hydrochlorate, the equivalent being about twenty-six and three-fourths (26) grains. Dissolve the menthol and the cocaine in the oil by the heat of a water bath. Some free alkaloids are soluble in fixed oils; the salts of the alkaloids are not soluble in such menstrua. An Unsightly Mixture. "W. H. McC.," of Indiana, writes: "I enclose copy of a prescription recently filled by me. I would like to know if it can be compounded without any precipitation. If so, how?" The prescription is as follows: M. S. A teaspoonful, as required. We think our correspondent confounds "precipitation" with "separation." Balsam of copaiba is not soluble in either fluid extract of buchu or spirit of niter. A muddy-looking mixture results. It may be dispensed with a "shake-the-bottle" label. It is not practicable to emulsify the copaiba in this instance. We are obliged, occasionally, to give out mixtures which offend the sight. The separation does not occur quickly enough to make it difficult to get the correct dose of each ingredient. Normal Tinctures.-"M.," of St. Louis, writes: "What are 'normal tinctures?' I am aware that the word 'normal' is used in chemistry to designate volumetric solutions of a certain definite strength, but I do not understand how it may be used to indicate the strength of a preparation of an organic drug." "Normal liquids" is the name given by one or more manufacturers of pharmaceuticals to a line of "assayed and standardized fluid extracts." They include the important alkaloidal drugs. Dr. Albert Merrell, in his "A Digest of Materia Medica and Pharmacy," designates fluid extracts as "normal tinctures." The nomenclature employed by him to indicate the strength of tinctures is simple, exact and convenient. It is as follows: Normal Tinctures N 1 One part of tincture representing one part of drug. Semi-Normal Tinctures N 2 Two parts of tincture representing one part of drug. Quinti-Normal Tinctures N 5 Five parts of tincture representing one part of drug. Deci-Normal Tinctures N 10 Ten parts of tincture representing one part of drug. It is evident that this manner of indicating strength of pharmaceutical preparations could be adapted to others besides the tinctures. We Howe's Acid Solution of Iron.-Information in regard to the above was asked in our last issue. find the query satisfactorily answered in the following from the Western Druggist for December, 1899: "This preparation appears to be quite a favorite with eclectic physicians in some sections of the country, and from Mr. J. U. Lloyd we learn that it was introduced about fifteen years ago by Prof. A. T. Howe, and the formula published in the Eclectic Medical Journal. We are favored by Mr. Lloyd with an advance copy of the formula as it will appear in Volume II (page 1164) of the new American Dispensatory now nearly completed, which reads as follows: Howe's Acid Solution of Iron.-This solution is prepared by triturating two ounces of ferrous sulfate in a mortar, and adding ten ounces of water and one ounce of nitric acid. No heat is to be employed. When the liquid assumes a clear, amber color, it is to be bottled. This preparation contains excess of nitric acid, and, probably, also part of the unexpelled nitrous acid. Its medicinal value probably consists in the associated actions of these substances as well as the iron salt. Howe's acid solution of iron is a favorite preparation with eclectic physicians to fulfill the indications for iron and an acid." C Condition Powders.-This class of remedies is usually composed of numerous substances, giving them the character of "shot-gun" prescriptions. Among the more prominent ingredients making up the composition of these powders, are: Black antimony, sulphate of sodium, nitrate of potassium, sulphur, fenugreek, gentian, asafetida and ginger. We have, in the above, alteratives, diuretics, diaphoretics, tonics, laxatives, sedatives and correctives. A fact well established is, that the commercial black antimony of the market contains no antimony, but consists principally of coal dust mixed with chalk and other inert substances; therefore, if the medicinal properties of antimony are desirable, why not use the sulphurated antimony (Kermes mineral) mixed with powdered charcoal to produce the necessary bulk and color? When sulphate of sodium is an ingredient, it should be desiccated by exposure to the air, when it will effloresce, losing its water of crystallization, and fall into a fine powder. The dose of condition powders is usually a tablespoonful to a horse, cow or hog; two tablespoonfuls for an ox or mule; a teaspoonful for a good-sized calf, sheep or dog; mixed with their food night and morning for a week or two, afterwards the same dose every other day. For fowls, a small quantity of the powder is added to corn, grain or other provender that has been moistened, and fed to them for a short time. While the stock is being dosed, it should be kept under shelter and not exposed to wet and cold weather. The following table of the normal number of pulsations in a minute in various animals is here added, which may be useful to those administering medicines to animals: Horse, 34 to 40; ox or cow, 38 to 45; mule, 48 to 54; sheep, 70 to 80; goat, 72 to 76; dog, 90 to 100; cat, 110 to 120; hen or duck, 136 to 140. Black antimony.. Reduce to powder and mix. Known as Taplin's Powder. 4. Gentian.. Asafetida.. Ginger. Licorice.... Sodium chloride. Fenugreek. Resin........ .6 parts. ....I part. .I part. I part. .4 parts. .6 parts. .......................I part. and B. crenulata; Rutaceae.-H. Southern Africa. D. There are two trade varieties of this drug, short and long, of which the former is the best and the kind recognized in the Pharmacopoeia, although the long is the higher-priced variety. Short buchu is composed of leaves about 15 mm. long, roundishobovate with somewhat wedge-shaped base, or varying between oval and obovate, obtuse at apex, margin crenate or serrate, leaves rather thick, dull yellowish-green, pellucid-punctate, with a gland at each indentation; odor and taste strongly mintlike, aromatic, pungent and bitterish. - c. One to 14 per cent volatile oil, etc.; the oil is the active constituent. U. Stimulant diuretic. Dose: 1 to 2 grams, best in fluid extract. Long Buchu is obtained from B. serratifolia; the leaves are 3 to 4 cm. long, thin, slender, lanceolate, green, less leathery but otherwise similar to short buchu. Long buchu is often mixed with the leaves of Empleurum serrulatum, which are narrower and without oil-glands at the extreme apex. The illustrations are as follows: A, leaf of Barosma crenulata, natural size, and a, the same enlarged; B, leaf of B. betulina, natural size, and b, the same en larged; C, leaf of B. serratifolia, natural size; D, leaf of Empleurum serrulatum, natural size, and d, apex of same, enlarged; E, leaf of Barosma crenata, which sometimes constitutes part of the drug. Uva Ursi. N. Uva Ursi, Bearberry Leaves. o. The leaves of Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi; Ericaceae. -H. Northern Europe and America. - D. Short-petioled, obovate or oblong-spatulate, 15 to 20 mm. long and 5 to 8 mm. broad, apex obtuse, margin entire and slightly revolute, upper surface with veins depressed, lower surface distinctly reticulate, brownish-green to brown; odor faint and taste strongly astringent and somewhat bitter. c. About 6 per cent tannin, arbutin, etc. U. Astringent, diuretic and nephritic; especially esteemed in kidney and bladder troubles. Dose: 2 to 5 grams, in infusion or fluid extract. Coca. N. Coca Leaves, Cucha Leaves. Erythroxylon Coca; Erythroxyleæ. Bolivia; cultivated. D. From 2.5 to 7.5 cm. long, short-petioled, closely net-veined on both sides, with a thick midrib on both sides of which there is a more or less distinctly marked curved line (not connected with the venation) running from the base to the apex, margin entire, greenish to greenish-brown or even brown in color, with faint tea-like odor and bitterish aromatic taste. The leaves of the Bolivian variety are smaller than the Peruvian, but are said to be richer in cocaine. c. Cocaine, etc. U. Stimulant, resembling coffee in action. Said to be a general excitant. Dose: 1 to 5 grams, chewed, or in infusion or NEW REMEDIES. Spleniferrin is a new organic preparation of iron, whose name indicates its origin. Cocaine Glycerino Phosphate contains 79 per cent of cocaine. It is readily soluble in water and alcohol. Eugastrin is the active principle of condurango bark, and is recommended as an "infallible" remedy for tuberculosis. Methylene Sulphate.-Delépine has prepared a crystalline compound, which he terms sulphate of methylene, by the combination of formic aldehyde with sulphuric anhydride in equimolecular proportions.-[Comptes Rendus. Syrups of Guaiacol and Creosote.-The addition of glycerin to the syrup of guaiacol and creosote is said to greatly improve their keeping properties. formula suggested for the former is-Guaiacol, 7.5; glycerin, 92.5; syrup, 900.—[Apotheker Zeitung. Tolokno is a dietetic preparation obtained from oats. By softening it in water, then roasting and grinding, after removing the husk, a grayish-yellow flour of agreeable taste is produced. The albuminous matter is peptonized by this process, the starch grains broken and a certain amount of diastase and dextrine formed.-[Pharmaceutical Post. Antiseptic Mouth Perles.-According to Von Rudlauer these may be prepared in the form of cachous, each containing 0.001 gm. of thymol, menthol, eucalyptol, saccharin and vanillin. They may be used in place of tooth or mouth washes and gargles, especially in case of children not old enough to use a gargle. For adults, two perles are allowed to completely dissolve in the mouth, the solution being swallowed.[Pharmaceutical Central. Sodium Sulphuroso-Benzoate.-A white powder soluble in water, found by F. Heckel to have a decided antiseptic power toward various microbes. Said to be non-toxic to the human organism even in large doses. For medical practicet he remedy is a convenient antiseptic, and has decided advantages over the mercury salts, because ofits non-toxic and non-irritant effects, although it is not so effective an antiseptic.-[Apoth. Zeit. Artificial Sponges.-A process patented by Dr. Gustav Pum, of Graz, Germany, consists principally in the action of zinc chloride solution on pure cellulose. The results are amyloid and hydro-celluloselike products, which swell up with water, but turn horny and hard on drying. In order to retain for the product the property of also absorbing water after drying, alkali-haloids are employed in treating the cellulose with zinc chloride, and finally the product is subjected to a mechanico-plastic treatment. Substitute For Peppermint.-Kestner & Cie obtained a patent for a product from tar-oil, intended as a substitute for oil of peppermint. The tar-oil is treated with caustic soda to remove phenols, then shaken with hydrochloric acid. The acid solution is diluted with water to cause separation of the ketones formed, which are distilled with steam. A mixture of ketones is thus obtained, of which the greater proportion distills between 185° and 205° C. By fractional distillation of this mixture and purification of the ketones (through conversion into benzoyl derivatives) two ketones may be isolated, one having the formula CH1670, melting at 10° and boiling at 192°C., the other answering to the formula CH2O, with a boiling point of 192° to 193°C. Neither of the compounds combines with bisulphites, but both absorb bromine when dissolved in carbon disulphide. The products so obtained have a fine odor of peppermint.— [Pharmaceutical Post. Honesty Is the Best Policy.-Senator William Lindsay, of Kentucky, responded to the toast, "The Closing Century," at a banquet of the "Board of Trade and Transportation," recently, at New York City, in which he makes the following remarks: The municipal corruption that pervades our cities, the power of the lobby over legislation, the abuse of the elective franchise and the control of business by trusts and combinations are pointed to as evidences of the decay of patriotism and the retrogression of business ethics. The existence of these evils we cannot deny, but their existence does not prove that morality has not kept pace with material progress, nor that political freedom has diminished the influences of the higher attributes of humanity. The demagogue in politics may secure temporary success, but he ultimately finds his level. Municipal corruption can no longer escape exposure, and exposure is the first step to reform. The lobby exercises less influence than at any time since the Civil War. The dishonest business man is no longer tolerated by his fellows, and the standard of commercial and business integrity was never so high as it is to-day. What we desire to call attention to is the last sentence: "The standard of commercial and business integrity was never so high as it is to-day." This coincides with our own opinion. We have, on previous occasions, tried to emphasize the fact that honesty and integrity are largely the result of education. The foundation is laid at the home of the child and at school, but a further stimulus is acquired as the boy and girl are educated in practical life. The example given by the employer to the apprentice, clerk, etc., is the great educator for the character of the youth. He will soon observe that a business carried along on honest principles will reap the benefit of the same. There is no adage that is more true than the one that "honesty is the best policy;" and the more consistent, the more strictly this is adhered to, the greater the benefits-not alone in dollars and cents, but in many other ways which are better than riches. Business talents are good, but honesty is much better. Dead Animals in Paris have been permitted to decay without municipal interference until recently. Our St. Louis readers will wonder if a Col. Ed. Butler has made his appearance in Paris and secured a new contract. NECROLOGY. Dr. William A. Hammond died at his home in Washington, January 5. He entered the Army as assistant Surgeon, in 1849; was at one time Surgeon General of the United States Army; for years held the chair of anatomy and physiology in the Maryland University School of Medicine; had an extensive practice in New York City; was professor of diseases of the mind and nervous system, in Bellevue Hospital Medical College and in the University of the State of New York; was one of the founders of the New York Post-Graduate School of Medicine, also of the New York Medical Journal. He established the Quarterly Journal of Physiology, Medicine and Medical Jurisprudence; was the author of several medical works, and paid some attention to lighter literature. Mr. Richard Barthel, one of the oldest druggists of St. Louis, died at his home in this city, January 26. Mr. Barthel was born in Saxony, and left Leipzig in 1838, being one of the passengers on the five ship-loads of immigrants who came to America from that country on account of religious and political difference of opinion with the government. He first settled in Perry County, Mo., where he remained for about two years. The young man naturally drifted to St. Louis, the commercial center of the Mississippi Valley. He found employment in the retail drug store of Mr. D'Oench, at the northeast corner of Second and Market Streets. He remained in this place until the great and historic fire of 1849 which swept this drug store, along with a greater portion of commercial St. Louis, out of existence. It was not long after this catastrophe that D'Oench & Co. started in the wholesale drug business. Mr. Barthel had an interest in the firm, which was located on the west side of Second Street, between Market and Walnut Streets. In the latter part of 1869 the firm was burned out and retired from business. Mr. Barthel secured a position with Meyer Brothers & Co., early in January of the following year. He remained with this firm until about 1888, when he purchased the drug store on the southeast corner of Fourth and Market Streets, which he subsequently sold to the Judge & Dolph Pharmaceutical Co. Mr. Barthel was a man with such strong traits of character that all associated with him held him in distinct remembrance. Dr. G. H. Chas. Klie, in recent conversation, said that the old gentleman was at the city desk for D'Oench & Co. when he, Mr. Klie, was an apprentice. He well remembers the pride with which Mr. Barthel looked after every detail of business transactions and avoided mistakes in filling orders. In those days, druggists called at the wholesale houses with baskets and carried the goods home with them, making use of the street car service whenever convenient. Mr. Klie said: "I remember Mr. Barthel as a pharmaceutical and chemical encyclopædia. His friends and acquaintances spoke frequently of him as one having an extensive knowl edge of everything pertaining to the drug business.’ Among other druggists who have spoken of Mr. Barthel's death is Mr. H. T. Rohlfing, who was one of the many patrons whose trade was looked after by Mr. Barthel. Mr. Rohlfing refers to the deceased as having belonged to the "French Germans,” as the natives of Saxony are often called, on account of their extreme politeness. Mr. Barthel remained a bachelor and possessed some of the characteristics popularly attributed to men who remain single throughout life. He was exceedingly particular and very much set in his ways of doing business. He was extremely neat and tidy, not only about his person, but everything that he handled. Industry and economy were among his cardinal principles. While extremely polite with business associates, he was never unnecessarily sociable, and, when away from his post of duty, seldom recognized even his friends upon the street. He was, withal, charitable and kindhearted, as numerous incidents in his life illustrate. Although a man of small stature and light build, he grew old so gracefully that his acquaintances declare that he has looked just the same for the past forty years. The death of this veteran in the drug trade severs another connecting link between the wholesale and retail business of the past generation and the much changed methods of handling drugs in the closing year of the nineteenth century. News From Various Sources. C. H. Sapper, of Washington, Mo., has sold out. R. H. Nevitt is proprietor of the Corner Drug Store at Brandenburg, Ky., and W. F. Grinnell is manager. George F. Loar, of Lewistown, Ill., opened a store February 1, with an entire new drug stock. No doubt he will succeed well in this enterprise. Mr. Robert H. Van Schaack, of Chicago, is now in Florida attending to the welfare of a sick brother, who has sought that climate to avoid the winter at Denver. Nelson Soule, of Paducah, Ky., died very unexpectedly on January 19. The business will be continued by Mrs. N. Soule, administratrix, and Mr. Werner will manage the same. Mr. A. W. Hatch, who for the past number of years has been in the sundries department of Messrs. Peter Van Schaack & Sons, of Chicago, has resigned to accept a position with the Crown Perfumery Company, representing them from the Alleghenies West. Mr. Albert Collins, a graduate of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and a popular young man of Santa Fe, N. M., died recently. He had been in the employ of A. C. Ireland, of that city, and his parents live in Joliet, Ill. He had been in poor health for some years, going to New Mexico several years ago in the hope that he would improve. No more he'll ever greet us, -[Judge. "Don't Worry," said the corn-fed philosopher, "over things that cannot be remedied. A little perusal of the patent medicine advertisements will show that there is a remedy for everything." |