Professor Stevens also described a simple apparatus for the esti mation of both the alcohol and camphor in spirit of camphor, which was devised by James Seymour. A PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY OF CANNABIS AMERICANA. The authors find that Houghton's method for determining the physiological activity of Cannabis sativa by internal administration to especially selected dogs is reliable when the standard dose, '010 per kilo body weight, is tested in comparison with the same quantity of a standard preparation of known strength. Further. more, Cannabis sativa, when grown in various localities of the United States and Mexico, is found to be fully as active as the best imported Indian grown Cannabis sativa. 28 ON MARRUBIIN. By H. M. Gordin. In a preliminary report the author states that marrubiin has the formula C2H2O4; it melts at 154.5-155.5°; it is very easily soluble in acetone, chloroform, pyridine, warm phenol and hot alcohol; difficultly soluble in ether, benzene and cold alcohol. It requires for solution about 60 parts of cold alcohol and about 20,000 parts of cold water. It is dextrorotatory. It is not affected by cold aqueous or alcoholic potassium hydroxide. When boiled with alcoholic potassium hydroxide for a short time, marrubiin is hydrolyzed, taking up a molecule of water and becoming converted into an acid which he has named marrubic acid. Marrubic acid has the formula C2H3005; it melts at 173-174° C., is dextrorotatory and forms easily soluble salts, none of which could be obtained in crystalline form. While marrubiin does not reduce Fehling's solution or ammoniacal silver nitrate, marrubic acid reduces them both very readily. The acid is monobasic and forms esters of which the methyl and ethyl compounds crystallize easily. OIL OF HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA. By Wilbur L. Scoville. Two samples of oil, obtained from different lots of the grease or crude distillate, were examined and showed the following characteristics: Specific gravity, at 25° C., 0·8984 and 0·8985; refractive . Jour. Pharm , 1907. index, at 20° C., 1.4830 and 1.4892; optical rotation, +46 and 505; saponification equivalent, 3.80; saponification equivalent, after acetylization, 30.3. The greater portion of the oil distilled between 250° C. and 263° C. Ten volumes of official alcohol were required for solution at 25° C. The oil evidently consists chiefly of a terpene, with a small proportion of an alcohol (about 7 per cent.), and a still smaller amount of an ester. PROGRESS IN THE SYNTHESIS OF ADRENALIN. The paper embodied a review of research on adrenalin, its chemical constitution, and attempts to produce it synthetically. The author has, in conjunction with C. E. Vanderkleed, accomplished a synthesis of adrenalin along lines entirely different from those thus far recorded. The method was not given. THE SYNTHESIS OF CAMPHOR. By A. R. L. Dohme. The author considered the reasons for endeavoring to synthesize camphor and the advantage of the same to the public. The laboratory of Professor Behal, his personality and method of work, were described, and attention called to the advance of French chemists over American from the standpoint of benefit to humanity as against benefit to science. The history of the synthesis of camphor and details of leading methods were given. Behal's method of synthesis was described and its advantages pointed out. THE PRODUCTION OF CAMPHOR. By A. R. L. Dohme. The author stated that about 80 per cent. of the camphor on the market comes from Japan, while China supplies but 20 per cent. He said that the island of Formosa furnishes the larger proportion of Japanese camphor, but it is difficult to obtain, depending upon the fact that the region where the trees grow is sickly and the natives are savage. The principal refinery of the Chinese is at Foochow. Both China and Japan have taken measures to protect the camphor industry, China having passed a law that for every tree cut down, five shall be planted in its place. Japan is also planting trees, and has passed a law that no trees less than fifty years . Jour. Pharm , old shall be cut down. About 10,000,000 pounds of camphor are produced annually by the two countries. About 70 per cent. of the camphor produced is used in the manufacture of celluloid. The B grade of camphor contains camphor oil and water, while the BB grade is of fine quality. KEFIR AND ITS MANUFACTure. By I. V. S. Stanislaus. The author stated that the origin of kefir grains is not definitely known. It was formerly the custom not to sell them, because there was a belief that the remaining grains would lose their fermentative properties. He said that kefir is not like koumiss prepared from mare's milk by the Tartars. EXAMINATION OF SOME SAMPLES OF HEXAMETHYLENE-TETRAMINE. By Daniel Base. The brands examined were Aminoform, Formin, Cystogen, Urotropin and Hexamethylene-tetramine. With one exception, all were found pure and, therefore, equally suited for medication. OPIUM ASSAY WITH USE OF LEAD SUBACETATE. A modification of the pharmacopoeial method of assay was given whereby the morphine may be more nearly completely precipitated and in a suitable condition for titration. A MECHANICAL AGITATOR FOR DRUG ASSAYING. By C. E. Parker. A simple, compact agitator for drug assays, with a modification for producing the intermittent agitation required in the official pep. sin assay, was described. [To be continued.] |