The New Swiss Pharmacopoeia.

BY C. JEHL.*

In 1865 the Swiss Society of Pharmacists published for the first time a "Pharmacopea Helvetica" in the Latin language. This work, a second edition of which was published in 1872, and a supplement to the latter in 1876, was not official, but optional, since it was not originated by the State. It is none the less true, however, that it is due to this previous work of the Swiss pharmacists that the third edition, just published, is official and obligatory for the whole Confederation, except the canton of Glarus, which has profited by the occasion to affirm its retrograde ideas and render itself immortally ridiculous. In 1889, the Federal Council appointed a commission of pharmacists, medical men, veterinarians, and chemists, to elaborate a Swiss official pharmacopoeia. This commission ended its labors in April, 1893, and decided to publish the work in the three languages used in Switerland, instead of in Latin as formerly. There will thus be three separate editions-French, German and Italian. To preserve the same alphabetical order in all three, the Latin denominations of the drugs, etc., have been retained, and these are followed by synonyms in the other languages.

This pharmacopoeia bears an international stamp which will contribute strongly, it is to be hoped, toward the realization of the dream of the Pharma

ceutical Congress-i.e., the publication of a universal pharmacopoeia. Thus from the German Pharmacopoeia it borrows the methods of classing and labeling active remedies and poisons, an excellent arrangement which we have strongly appreciated in Alsace, and ought to be general. The ordinary preparations are indicated by black letters on a white ground; more active ones by red letters on a white ground; while poisons are shut up in a cupboard and indicated by white letters on a black ground. The same regulations apply to the cellar and storerooms.

Distilled water alone is recognized. This is also according to the German Pharmacopœia, but here (Alsace) the rule only exists on paper; for, since the enforcement of obligatory assurance against sickness, there is frequently an indisposition to pay for distilled water, and the pump has assumed its former position. The pharmacist often finds himself in a very perplexing situation on this account; for, on the one hand, the Imperial Chancellor's office orders, by its official pharmacopoeia, the employment of distilled water alone in all preparations, without exception, and, on the other hand, the local authorities intimate to him the desirability of economizing in the formulæ and using distilled water only where absolutely necessary.

Substances sensitive to light are to be preserved in yellow and black glass receptacles. An excellent innovation, which the German Pharmacopoeia had already borrowed from that of the United States, is the specification of the degrees of fineness of the sieves used for powders and substances reduced by cutting. This is one of the most important points in modern pharmacopoeias, because it contributes, in great measure, to the uniformity of laboratory preparations. The Swiss Pharmacopoeia uses seven distinct sieves, one more than the German, and has accord. ingly finer powders and coarser species than the latter.

The work resembles the French Codex in its wide choice of formulæ and methods

*From the Journ. der Pharm. von Elsass-Lothirngen, through Pharm, Journ.

of manufacture of a certain proportion of chemical products which the German Pharmacopoeia is content to fix a standard of purity for. Such conciseness in the latter necessitates the publication of extensive commentaries to compensate for official brevity. A preparation for which a formula might have been included is bismuth salicylate, commercial specimens of which have a very variable composition.

The distilled waters are simple in the case of plants rich in essential oil, and the others are concentrated to one-tenth with the addition of alcohol. There are five altogether, besides cherry-laurel (1 in 1,000) and rose waters. While the German Pharmacopoeia recognizes one kind of cinchona only, the Swiss recognizes twoyellow (Ledgeriana and Calisaya) and red (Succirubra); and the French Codex three (gray, yellow, red), from numerous sources, and proving a veritable embarrassment of riches.

Where the Germans have ten plasters, the Swiss have fourteen, and the French twenty-three. A novelty, borrowed from the Americans, distinguishes the Swiss extracts, which are divided into fluid, soft, hard and dry extracts, one part of the last being equivalent to two parts of - the drug. In the sixth edition of the U. S. P. these were termed abstracts, but they have been suppressed in the seventh edition. It would be preferable to see but two kinds of extracts, fluid and dry. Pharmaceutical work would thus gain in cleanliness and accuracy.

The latter part of the book contains the following tables: An enumeration of reagents and volumetric solutions; a table of solubilities; lists of active medicaments and poisons; maximum doses; a table indicating the proportion of active ingredients in the pharmaceutical preparations; a table of alcoholic strengths; one giving densities of solutions of ammonia, potash, and soda, as well as nitric, hydrochloric, and sulphuric acids; a comparison of degrees Beaumé with densities; two saturation tables for acids and bases; a reduction of specific weights according to temperatures; and a list of synonyms. There are eighteen tables in all. Finally, the index of contents is in four languages, including Latin.

The Swiss commission has produced a work worthy of modern science and representing an enormous amount of work, greatly augmented by the necessity of publication in three languages. But, by reason of this, the pharmacopoeia will be consulted more than any other in the countries bordering on Switzerland, and thus probably hasten the amalgamation of the principal active preparations in the various European pharmacopoeias. It is satisfactory to be able fully to congratulate the Swiss Pharmacopoeia Commission, and particularly its president, Professor Schaer, director of the Pharmaceutical Institute át Strassburg.

Tincture of Iodine.*

BY C. F. HENRY.

Tincture of iodine has long been a subject of controversy, and after fifty years it cannot be said we have a satisfactory preparation, though various and varied have been its formulæ.

The Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia tincture, which is still in considerable demand, had a strength of 1 in 16, and was made with alcohol alone, by the aid of heat. The London Pharmacopoeia preparation,

termed tinct. jodinii co., contained iodine

*Read at a meeting of the Edinburgh Chemists' Assistants' Association.

1 in 40, and potassium iodide 1 in 20. The 1864 pharmacopoeia ordered 1 in 40 of iodine, with 1 in 80 of potassium iodide, and this was retained in the 1867 edition. In 1870 Mr. Martindale (Pharm. Journ.) [2], vol. xi., p. 601) pointed out that this proportion of potassium iodide was insufficient to render the tincture miscible with water, and in the 1885 edition the proportion was increased to 1 in 40, making the quantity of potassium iodide equal to the quantity of iodine.

A comparison with foreign pharmacopoeias gives approximately the following results: French Codex, 1 in 15: German and Russian, 1 in 13; United States, 1 in 14; Austrian, 1 in 17; Dutch, in 16. These are all made without potassium iodide, and are all very much stronger than the British preparation, which is 1 in 40. It is the weakness of the British tincture that has been most criticised, and it has several times been emphatically condemned.

Against the plea that the present tincture is too weak it may be urged that it is intended for internal use, and that the liniment is meant to supply the need for an external application. Against this plea I would urge, first, that the tincture is frequently prescribed for external use, and fails in its purpose. Secondly, that the tincture of the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia is regularly prescribed by many on account of its suitability, and the existing pharmacopoeia should contain a preparation which would obviate recourse to an obsolete pharmacopoeia. Thirdly, that the frequency with which the liniment is diluted when prescribed shows that it is too strong in most cases. Fourthly, because there should be no difficulty in having a preparation suitable for both internal and external use, which should take the place of the present tincture and liniment. To suggest a formula for such a tincture is the object of this note. The author de. tailed a series of experiments which pointed to the conclusion that the following formula most suitably met all require. ments:

The Fungus Kingdom.

PHYCOMYCETES; ASCOMYCETES; BASIOMYCETES; HYMENOMYCETES.

The increased attention given to the study of fungi especially from a biologi. cal point of view is one of the features of a scientific education in the present day. One of the difficulties which the novice encounters is the cumbrous terminology with which the science of botany in general and mycology in particular is overloaded. While anatomical facts and physiological phenomena must necessarily have distinctive names, it is most desirable that these should not be unnecessarily multiplied. It is a great mistake to imagine that because a man has learned the meaning of some few dozen technical terms he has therefore become a botanist. Science is apt to be hindered rather than helped by a too prolific nomenclature. One of the most important groups of fungi is the phycomycetes, or molds. They are characterized by their minute size, and to the ordinary observers are apparently unimportant. They are, however, an exceedingly interesting family in many ways. Molds multiply themselves in many ways, and afford some of the best marked instances of sexual reproduction. Molds are both saphrophytic and parasitic. Among the latter the salmon disease and the potato disease are only too well known. Horticulturists are familiar with another pest-" the damping off of seedlings;" while the young medical man who has to cure a case of ringworm in a fortnight, in order that the 'child may go back to school," will have his work cut out. All these conditions owe their existence to molds. Among the ascomycetes some botanists place the so-called sprouting or yeast fungi (saccharomyces), one

66

member of which, Oïdium albicans, is well known to us. The parasitic ascomycetes include the fungi which cause the peach blister"bladder" or "pocket plums "-the vine and the hop mildew, the larch disease, the canker of apple trees, and the caterpillar sphæria. To the same group belongs the fungus which furnishes us with ergot. The interesting family of lichens in which the parasite and its host are mutually beneficial to one another was also described. The basiomycetes, like the other groups, contain both saphrophy. tic and parasitic species. Among the last named the Uredineæ and their associates, the Ustilagineæ, stand prominent in causing the rust and mildew in wheat, as well as smut and bunt, diseases of economic importance, and not mere scientific curiosities. The large family known as the hymenomycetes, the mushroom, is the best known and certainly the most highly appreciated member in this country (England), but which also contains such harmful species as the dry rot fungus and various tree destroying parasites. The myxomycetes presents so many analogies to the animal kingdom that some botanists have gone so far as to rechristen them the mycetozoa.-British Medical Journal.

The Origin of Lemon Kali. Toward the end of 1891 you asked me what was the force of the word kali as used in the name "Lemon and Kali," and you did me the honor of quoting my reply in a paper read before the Virginia Pharmaceutical Association in 1892, as shown at page 86 of the Appendix of the resulting Proceedings." I showed that the carbonate of sodium of the preparation was really the ancient and original kali

(ashes) of seashore sods and that this littoral sod-ash or carbonate of sodium, as we now term it, was called kali long before the metallic element of the inland "potash was discovered and long before the name kalium was given to that element; hence that makers of "lemon and kali" are at all events not wrong in using the word kali for what contains kalium; hence, anyhow, that there was the force" of the word kali as so used.

no

The London Chemist and Druggist of May 20, 1893, has noticed your paper and reproduced my letter to you. The account caught the eye of my friend and colleague and pharmaceutical historian, Joseph Ince who at once sent to me some information on the subject, which I am sure you will be glad to possess, because it not only settles a question which I could not answer, namely, why the word kali was introduced into the modern name "Lemon Kali," but by whom it was so introduced.

It appears, according to Mr. Ince's late father, that one Charles Gomond Cooke of the celebrated English firm of Godfrey & Cooke not only was a sufficiently clever pharmacist to invent this effervescent saline on which you and I have corresponded, but being an astute man of business, and not wishing all the world to know at once how the article was inade, was clever enough to invent its name; as well as, I may add, to devise for it special bottles, soon afterward and ever since used throughout English pharmacy under the name of "Salines." Thus for years did he hold a trade monopoly, by disguising a carbonate of sodium under its ancient name of "Kali," enhancing the mystery by the words "lemon and." Cunning compounder and far-seeing godfather, he deserves his reward. He has long rested beneath the sod himself, though his invention has continued to make some stir in the pharmaceutical world as a grateful effervescent saline.Letter of Prof. John Attfield, London, to Dr. C. B. Fleet, secretary of the Virginia Pharmaceutical Association, Lynchburg, printed in the Proceedings of the Associa tion for 1893.

Assay of Manganese Oxides. Last winter Mr. D. B. Dott showed how oxygen could be made without heat by allowing hydrogen peroxide solution to react with black oxide of manganese. A similar reaction is utilized by Mr. Adolphe Carnot (Comptes Rendus, cxvi, 1295) for assaying manganese oxides, but as the quantity of oxygen liberated from hydrogen peroxide is indefinite an acid is added whereby the quantity becomes definite --viz., double the available oxygen in manganese peroxide above MnO. M. Carnot's process is to fix on a suitable stand a 150 Cc. flask having a caoutchouc stopper with two perforations. Through one of these passes a straight tapped funnel tube or phial with a glass stopper, the point of which must descend to the bottom of the flask. The other aperture has a dry delivery-tube bent four times, ending in a graduated gas-jar, filled with water and arranged on the trough. We introduce into the flask 1 gramme of the manganese oxide reduced to a fine powder, then about 30 Cc. of water and 20 Cc. of nitric acid, which decomposes any carbonates present in the sample. We allow the carbonic acid to escape entirely; then insert the stopper, leaving the stopper open. We can then observe that not only the graduated jar, but also the delivery-tube, is filled with water up to the point where it emerges from the water trough. Close

the stopper, pour into the funnel 20 Cc. of 10 vol. hydrogen peroxide, allowing it to flow gently into the flask, taking care to close the stopper as soon as the last traces of peroxide had passed. The action takes place at once without heat. and the escape of oxygen, which is at first very rapid, is completed in a few minutes if care is taken to shake the flask from time to time. Nothing then remains but to measure the volume of oxygen liberated and from it calculate the oxygen value of the manganese oxides used. For absolute accuracy the following is the formula for calculation, taking Vt as the gaseous volume, measured at the temperature t and the atmospheric pressure H The gas being saturated with moisture, the tension h is allowed according to the temperature. As the weight of 1 liter of dry oxygen at 0° and at 760 mm. is 1.4298 gramme, then we calculate in grammes the weight p of available oxygen in 1 kilo. of ore by means of the formula: H-h 1 p = 1⁄2Vt x 1.4298 X 760 1 × 0.00367t.

The important point to notice is the ready solubility of the first distillate in 70 per cent spirit-viz, one part of the oil in 2 to 3 parts of the spirit. The solubility decreases very markedly on the addition pentine added to a pure oil gave a first disof turpentine. Thus 20 per cent of tur

tillate which was soluble to the extent of 1 in 12 of 70 per cent. alcohol, and 50 per cent. of turpentine reduced the solubility to 1 in 25 of 80 per cent. alcohol. It is also noticeable that most of the turpentine distils in the first fraction. - Chem, and Drug.

Since the metric system has been promulgated as official in the United States Pharmacopoeia it may be useful to our readers to recall the fact that the United States fractional silver currency bears a simple relation to its various units, a relation that has been made designedly and by law. The half dollar equals 121⁄2 grams, the quarter dollar 6 grams and the dime 21⁄2 grains. Eighty half dollars are equal to I kilogram.

Ete.

A New Sublimation Apparatus. G. Oddo has published in the Gazetta Chimica Italiana the description of a new apparatus substantially as follows:

A stand (Fig. 1) supports on its two rings two asbestos sheets a and b. The sheet a has an opening in which is placed a thin beaker which is not very deep and in this is placed the substance to be decomposed.

Two other larger beakers are invented over this, the inner one serving to arrest the sublimed substance, the outer one retaining all vapors which escape from the inner beaker.

The sheet b serves to distribute the heat and should be placed nearer to or farther from the beaker according as the substance to be sublimed is more or less volatile. It is advisable to lay two sheets of paper over the upper sheet of asbestos, having holes in them to correspond with that in the asbestos.Pharm. Centralhalle.

For Fractional
Distillation.

L. Claisen describes an apparatus for fractional distillation as follows: (Liebig's Annalau, 277, 177–178; Pharm. Centralh.. 1894, p. 124): A dual distillation apparatus (Fig. 2) is provided on one side with a capillary tube a which reaches to the bottom and on the other with a thermometer c. It is advantageous to put some pieces of glass in the neck on the side b, to prevent the slopping over of the liquid. In using the apparatus with liquids whose boiling points are not too high, the space above the pieces of glass may be wholly or partially filled with glass thus combining

H

Fig.1

By opening the stopcock in this tube one Cc. of urine is allowed to flow into the bromine solution in which the free nitrogen is afterward estimated.

Traube's Thermostat.

66

In his work entitled Physikalischchemische Methoden" J. Traube illustrates a valuable form of a thermostat shown in Fig. 5. It consists of a U-shaped tube A to which is attached by means of a rubber stopper a medium small cylindrical tube B, which is filled either with an oil or with a concentrated solution of calcium chloride. A sufficient quantity of mercury is then poured in through the funnel. The air in the space between the mercury, cylinder B, and the funnel C, is then entirely replaced either by oil or by calcium chloride solution. The influx and egress of the gas to the burner is shown by the arrows. The cylinder B should be thrust into the water bath or drying

the advantages of the Hempel column with those of the vacuum apparatus. These flasks are made by C. Heintz & Co. of Aachen, Germany.

Improved Porcelain Filter Plate.

Max Kähler has received an improved porcelain filter plate which is shown in Fig. 3 (Zeit. f. anal Chem.,1894,64; Pharm. Centralh., 1894, 124). This plate lessens the probability of breaking the funnel and it is always in the comet position. The edge of the plate is fitted with a rubber ring, while through its center a glass tube passes down into the neck of the funnel.

Hinds' Ureometer.

Fig. 4 shows a variation in the shape of the ureometer proposed by Hinds (Chemist and Druggist). The tube A and the vessel B are filled with bromide solution (40 Gm. of caustic soda, 100 Gm. of water and about 2 Cc. or 4 Gm. of bromine).

B

Fig. 4.

B

A

closet, which is to be maintained at a uniform temperature.-Pharm. Centralhalle.

Landott's 'Pipette.

According to J. Traube ("Physikalischchemische Methoden ") the proper way to determine solubility is to mix the solvent with an excess of the powdered substance and allow to stand, with frequent agitation, at a uniform temperature for from 2 to 3 hours. After allowing the solution to settle Landott's pipette, see Fig. 6, is suitable for drawing off a definite quantity of the solution. This should have the same temperature as the solution. The pipette may be closed by a and b. The quantity of the solution is determined by weighing and the pipette afterward rinsed out.

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Modern Botany.

If

Prof. J. Reynolds Green, professor of botany to the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain gave a lecture on Recent Work on the Physiology of the Pollen Tube" to the Liverpool Biological Society, on March 9. The lecturer described minutely the process of germination of the pollen grain, which he said is easily observed under the microscope. the grain be treated with a solution of chloral hydrate containing iodine the grain is rendered transparent, and granules of starch contained therein are stained violet. There are a large number of starch granules present, except in young grains, when there are few if any. These starch grains are seen to travel gradually down the pollen tube, and slowly separate from each other; then, passing to the point of activity (the apex of the tube), their character becomes changed, first into dextrine, and next into sugar. This is beautifully seen in the pollen tube of the lily; as the_granules

A

a

approach the apex their color (violet) changes into red, indicating dextrine. Thus the pollen grain ministers to the nutrition of its own tube. There are in the tubes granules which are not starch, and they are extruded from a very minute orifice at its apex. It is not an unreasonable hypothesis that these granules are enzymes, which play an important part in the nutrition of the tube. If the style of the lily be examined at the right age it will be found that starch is being carried to it by the fibro-vascular bundles and then formed into small granules, providing in this way more nourishment for the pollen tubes. This is observable in both longitudinal and transverse sections. Further provision for the nourishment of the tube is made in the form of malt sugar -probably the result of the action of the enzymes on the starch granules. At a certain age the enzymes are found to increase; also the starch exceeds what is found in the tube originally, and it is supposed that the tube stores away at first more nutritive matter than it requires, in order to provide for contingencies. In the pollen of the Zamia there is no starch, but if the tube be placed in a solution containing sugar-say the pulp of the apple or pear-starch at once begins to form. Sugars (malt, grape and cane):) frequently found in the tube instead starch.

Spread on linen in the manner of an adhesive plaster, and apply over the painful sites in rheumatism, pleurodynia, etc.

Goldbeater's Skin is said to be good for cracked nipples. M. J. Blechmann (Paris Medical) advises the treatment of cracked or fissured nipples by means of gold beater's skin. Over the nipple affected, after wetting with water, a piece of skin is applied, first being pierced with a number of holes by a needle. The skin takes the form of the nipple, and adheres like a second epidermis. After each nursing a new piece is applied.

Treatment of Psoriasis-The following local treatment is found to be very serviceable by Dr. Eddowes (London). The various patches are painted, after removal of the scales with soap and hot water, with a saturated solution of tincture of iodine, about once a week, and an ointment consisting of equal parts of the ung. sulphuris, and the ung. picis liquidum applied daily. Another useful application is the following:

The Therapeutic Use of Salophen.According to Siebel, Guttman, Koch, and others salophen possesses all the advantages, without the disadvantages, of salicylate of soda, and it is also superior to salol. It is prepared in the form of a white flocculent powder, has neither smell nor taste and is of neutral reaction. In cold water it is insoluble, but is freely soluble in hot water, alcohol and ether. Its greatest advantage, however, appears to be that of relieving pain, as for example in cases of acute rheumatism. Also in neuralgia such as intercostal, dental, and other forms it acts as a powerful analgesic. In a case of tabes with much cephalalgia it acted like a charm in the relief of the latter symptom. The dose is from seven grains to half a drachm a day taken either in the form of powders, pills, or in cachets.

Rubidium Iodide.-Dr. S. Leistikow (Monat. f. Prakt. Derm.) reports the results of his therapeutic experiments with rubidium iodide. The author employed a 5 per cent. aqueous solution in eight cases, seven of which were definitely cured, on the average, in 14 days. One of these patients suffered from two ulcers specific of the hard palate. After local cauterization for 3 days, with 10 per cent. chromic acid, by which the ulcer bottom was cleansed, rubidium iodide was administered internally. Complete cure after 14 days, without any influence on the cardiac condition.

The rubidium salts are not cardiac poisons, like those of potassium, for which reason they are to be recommended as succedanea. No gastric disturbances are reported. The taste of rubidium iodide is not as disagreeably salty as that of potassium iodide.

Salophen-Köster (Therap. Monatsh., January, 1894) has used salophen in 30 cases of acute rheumatism, a few 15-grain powders often sufficing to remove all pain; exudation into the joints also disappeared as a rule. The administration was usually continued during four days, 4 to 6 doses per diem being given. The only unpleasant symptoms noticed were vertigo on three occasions, and drowsiness and excessive perspiration four times. No gastric disturbances were observed. Extension of the disease took place twice and relapses also occurred twice; these, however, were at once relieved by a repetition of the treatment. Salophen is not a powerful antipyretic, but is more effectual in neuralgic and similar affections. One case of severe brachial neuralgia is quoted which had resisted all other known antineuralgic remedies, and which was cured by 1 drachm of salophen given on four successive days.

Hemorrhoids-Engle has employed with good results suppositories of aristol prepared as follows:

Potass, bitartrat. Flor. sulphur, aa 25.0 Srig. One to two teaspoonfuls two or three times daily.-Sem. Med.

Treatment of Alopecia Areata.—Leistikow (Monatsh. f. prakt. Dermat., January, 1894) for the last four years has used chrysarobin almost exclusively in alopecia areata. The results in total alopecia were satisfactory, though not reliable; in the partial affection the cures were 58 per cent., but among these relapses occurred in 30 per cent.; of these patients two thirds were lost sight of, but the remainder were again cured and remained free. Formerly he only used the chrysarobin as a 5 to 10 per cent. ointment applied once or twice daily, but now he prepares a stick composed of chrysarobin 30, colophonium 5, cera flava 35, olive oil 30 parts, the application thus being more simple. Every evening the stick is rubbed over the affected part, which is washed clean with olive oil in the morning In some days the skin often becomes irritable and red, when zinc ointment is substituted for a time. The author considers chrysarobin the best remedy in this affection.

'Antidiphtherine."-V G. Grigorieff (Vratch, No. 2, 1894, p. 567), of Professor N. T. Filatoff's clinic in Moscow, used Klebs's specific in four cases of diphtheria in children, and came to the conclusion that the remedy is worthless. In spite of the paintings, repeated trice daily, false membranes continued to spread steadily, fever remained high or even increased, etc. Two children-one of whom aged 8, had been admitted on the third day of the disease, and the other, aged

15

months, on the second-died in fortyeight and twenty-four hours respectively. In a third patient, aged 4 years and 7 months, admitted on the fourth day of illness, who had been getting worse during a four days' treatment by "antidiphtherine," local applications of a 1 per mille solution of corrosive sublimate were substituted, with the result that the faucial deposits began to disappear, and the child ultimately made good recovery. Exactly the same course of events was observed in a boy aged 4 years and 7 months, in whom the antidiphtherine"treatment was commenced on the second day of symptoms, but given up in about twenty-four hours, on account of a considerable aggravation of fever and local condition. The bichloride paintings cleared the child's throat in about four days. A set of elaborate experiments, undertaken by the author in order to test the bactericidal effects of Klebs's preparation, proved that (1) the latter does not in the least inhibit the development of diphtheria bacilli even after twenty-four hours' continuous contact; (2) a 1 per mille solution of Hg Cl, destroys the microbes even after a two minutes' contact; and (3) Hg Cl, has an additional advantage over "antidiphtherine," inasmuch as it kills any species of bacteria which happen to be present in a diphtheria patient's throat.

Generation of Gas in the Bowel for Intussussception.-Dr. J. T. C. Williams gives (The Lancet) a case of intussusception in an infant where an operation was not permitted and in which, after failure of all the ordinary methods, relief was secured by injecting, first a solution of 90 grains of citric acid, and second, slowly, a solution of 120 grains of sodium bicarbonate and then holding the nates firmly together. The injection was made by a catheter passed up 9 inches. Where a case is of long standing and gangrene has set in there is danger of rupture.

Artificial Immunity against
Cholera.

Dr. Issaff of the Berlin Institute für Infectionskrankheiten has come to the following conclusions from the result of a series of unusually comprehensive experiments:

1. The intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection of the blood serum of normal men, and also of acid, alkaline or neutral liquids (urine, bouillon, distilled water, physiological salt solution, etc.) gives guinea pigs a certain resistance against intraperitoneal cholera infection. This resistance is weak and transient and is not identical with the true immunity produced by inoculating the animals with the bacterial products of cholera.

2. Inoculated animals, notwithstanding their high degree of immunity against the living vibrio, are not immune to the toxines of the same vibrio. The blood of the inoculated guinea pig has no antitoxic properties

3. The blood of the carefully inoculated animals possesses in a high degree the property of conferring immunity, and, in a certain sense, theropeutic qualities.

4. The blood of convalescents from cholera has the same specific and curative properties as does that of inoculated guinea pigs. These properties first appear at the end of three weeks after patient is taken sick and entirely disappear three or four days later.

2. The cell reactions which find expression in phagocytosis play the most important role in the protection given by injections of bouillon, salt solution, etc.-Zeit für Hygiene, etc., xvi., 2, 1894.

Tincture quillaja.

Mix.

..3 fluid drachms ...2 pints ........2 fluid drachms

Oil of Muguet.-I. W., Jr., writes: "Will you kindly tell me what oil of muguet is?"

Warrick Frères of this city say that oil of muguet is a definite chemical compound used by perfumers for blending purposes. According to others it is a mixture of oil of linaloe and terpineol.

Oil of Linaloe. J. W., Jr.-This is the odorous principle of the Mexican Lignaloe. Bussera Delpechiana,though the New Mexican Pharmacopoeia also gives Amyris Linaloe as the source of the oil. The oil is described as an oxygenated body having the formula 2(C10H8) 5H2O, this formula answering to that of a hydrate of terebenthene or of an isomer. The odor of the oil is likened by Poisson ("Odorographia," page 290) to a mixture of lemon and jasmin, and by others it is thought to resemble bergamot. The odoriferous constituent of oil of Mexican Lign. aloe was discovered by Semmler (Ber. d. D. Chem. Ges, 1891, xxiv., p. 207 "Odorographia," p. 290) and termed Linalool. This has recently been isolated by Schimmel & Co. who find that it is the principal constituent of the oil, and is the sole bearer of the latter which is so valued in perfumery. It is described as an almost colorless liquid, very soluble in alcohol of sp. gr. 0.878 at 15° C. Sawyer says the acetic ester of linalool

St. John Long's Liniment. D. G. S.This is composed of

Yolk of egg.

Essence of lemonw Acetic acid...

Oil of turpentine... Rose water....

One ..30

.......

minims fl. ounce 11⁄2 fl. ounces 3 f ounces

The yolk of egg is first rubbed down with the water and acetic acid, then placed in a bottle with the turpentine and shaken together until emulsified; lastly, the lemon is added.

Tincture of Alkanet. D. G. S.-This tincture is made by macerating 20 parts of alkanet in sufficient alcohol to make 100 parts for seven days and filtering. It is used as a coloring agent.

Bismuth Hair Dye, R. McR.-A modifi cation of the formula referred to is found to give better results. We give the modified formula below:

1Q ..500

Dissolve the acid in 26 parts of water and dissolve the bismuth in this solution; add an excess of water to precipitate the bismuth, collect the precipitate and dissolve in the ammonia water, and then add the glycerin, the sodium hyposulphite and enough water to make 500 parts.

Carmine Red Coloring.-A. C. W. asks: "What can I use to color dilute alcohol preparations a carmine red that will not be affected by acids, alkalies or chlorine gas."

A few drops of liquid cochineal will usually be found to answer, though few of

the vegetable colors will stand prolonged treatment with chlorine without fading.

Liquid cochineal is prepared as follows :

Cochineal in fine silver grains

Potassium carbonate..

1 ounce,

1 ounce.

Aluminum and potassium sulphate.. ounce. Citric acid.......

ounce,

Water, a sufficient quantity. Boil the cochineal (bruised) in a glass or copper vessel of suitable capacity in 8 fluid ounces of water, to which the potassium carbonate has been added. Mix loosely the alum and citric acid in powder and add gradually to the boiling liquid, and continue to boil until effervescence has entirely ceased. While still hot filter and wash the filter with hot water to make the whole measure 12 fluid ounces.

The aniline dyes will be found useful, many of the more recently introduced reds and shades of that color being well adapted for the purpose indicated; tincture of cudbear may also be mentioned.

Liquid Bluing. C. T. D.-The best liquid washing blue is made by dissolving indigo carmine in water containing a trace of gum arabic. The proportions of each are as follows:

Gum arabic.....

Indigo carmine...

.6 drams

.1 ounces

Water, enough to make 16 fluid ounces.

A cheaper article may be made by dissolving one ounce of a mixture composed of equal parts of Prussian blue and oxalic acid in one pint of water.

Red and Black Inks W. J. B.-See DRUGGIST AND RECORD, March 22, 1894, page 146. The formulas there given are excellent.

Lydia Pinkham's Compound.-W. J. B. writes: In answer to J. R. W. (DRUGGIST AND RECORD, March 8) I would say that Lydia Pinkham's compound is understood to be an infusion or decoction of Gnaphalium polyceophalum a plant known in common with several others as Life Everlasting."

Soluble Extract of Ginger. A. N.-The following formula will be found excellent for the purpose:

Jamaica ginger (ground)...
Pumice stone (powdered)..
Lime (slaked)..

......2 pounds

2 ounces 2 ounces

Dilute alcohol, sufficient to make.......4 pints

Rub the ginger with the pumice stone and lime, thoroughly mixed; then moisten with dilute alcohol until perfectly saturated; place the mixture in a narrow percolator, being careful not to use any force in packing, simply so that the menstruum will go through uniformly; lastly, add dilute alcohol and proceed until 4 pints of the percolate are obtained; allow the liquid to stand 24 hours and filter if necessary.

Essence of Sarsaparilla. A. N.-An extract or essence of sarsaparilla suitable for preparing syrup of sarsaparilla for the soda fountain can be made as follows: Compound fld. extract sarsaparilla...2 drachms Caramel solution...

Dissolve the oils in the alcohol and add the extract of sarsaparilla and solution of burnt sugar. One ounce of an extract prepared as above will be found sufficient for two pints of syrup.

Glycerin Cosmetic Jelly. T. B. An excellent emollient, for use against chapped hands and face, is said to be preparable as follows: Two drams of gelatin are soaked in 6 fluid ounces of rose water, dissolved in the water-bath, and admixed, after cooling and while the mass is still liquid, with 5 drams of albumen. On heating the mixture again, it becomes perfectly clear-from the precipitation of