part 1, p. 1077, published in 1850,) I have briefly referred to a

soft or semi-liquid Socotrine aloes, which had a bright or palm-oil yellow color and odor. At that time I had but little opportunity of investigating this very interesting drug; but a large importation of it having recently taken place, I have more fully examined it, and, as it appears to me to be the raw or unboiled juice of the plant yielding what is known in commerce as Socotrine aloes, I propose to distinguish it from the ordinary soft Socotrine aloes by the name of “_Socotrine Aloe Juice_.”

Messrs. Horner, the holders of the whole of the present importation of this juice, inform me that it was purchased of the Arabs up the Red Sea, by a merchant, who was assured by the venders that it was very fine aloe juice, and had not been boiled or otherwise altered. It was imported into London by way of Madras, in casks each containing six cwt. I am informed that the contents of some of the packages have undergone decomposition during the voyage.

Its consistence is that of treacle or very thin honey; its color deep orange or palm oil yellow; its odor powerful, fragrant, and resembling that of fine Socotrine aloes. By standing it separates into two parts,—an inferior, paler colored, opaque, finely granular portion, and a superior, darker colored, transparent liquid. The latter forms, however, a very small portion of the whole mass.

When the granular portion is submitted to microscopic examination, it is found that the opacity and granular appearance arise from myriads of beautiful prismatic crystals. If a temperature of 132° Fah. be applied to the juice these crystals melt or dissolve, and the juice becomes deep red and transparent; and when the liquid becomes cold it retains its transparency, and does not deposit any crystals. By evaporation the juice yields a solid, transparent extract, having all the {237} characters of fine Socotrine aloes, in which no traces of crystalline texture can be discovered. Mr. Jacob Bell has ascertained that 14 lbs. of the juice yield 8lbs. 12ozs. of solid extract, or 62 1/2 per cent. when the juice is mixed with cold distilled water, it becomes opaque yellow, and renders the water turbid, but is not miscible with it. If, however, heat be applied, the juice dissolves in the water, forming an almost clear, rich red liquid. As the solution cools, it at first becomes turbid, owing to the separation of an opaque yellow precipitate, which, apparently, is the crystalline principle in an amorphous form. This gradually separates from the liquid and collects as a clear resiniform mass (commonly called the _resin_ of aloes) at the bottom of the vessel, leaving the supernatant liquid tolerably clear. If the juice be shaken up with rectified spirit of wine, an uniform clear mixture is obtained, from which numerous yellow crystals rapidly fall to the bottom of the liquid. Similar results are obtained when we mix the juice with equal parts of rectified spirit of wine and water.

This crystalline constituent of Socotrine aloes is doubtless, either the _aloin_[21] described by Messrs. T. & H. Smith, of Edinburgh, and by Dr. Stenhouse, or a principle closely allied to it.

Dr. Stenhouse, to whom I have given a sample of it, is now engaged in its investigation; and in a letter which I have received from him, he says, that though he has not been able to get the aloin ready for analysis, yet from the experiments he has already made with it, he has scarcely a doubt that it will be found identical with that formerly obtained from Barbados aloes. It forms, he adds, a precisely similar combination with bromine, and, in short, agrees with it in every particular; I shall, therefore, provisionally term this crystalline principle the _aloin of Socotrine aloes_. On comparing it with a fine specimen of aloin, kindly presented to me by Messrs. Smith, I find its crystals smaller and more tapering—the summits of the crystals being more acute.

[21] See New York Journal of Pharmacy, No. vi. page 177.

In drying, the crystals of the Socotrine aloin have a strong {238} tendency to break up; so that crystals which in the moist state are moderately large and regular, become small and pulverulent when dry. Like the aloin crystals of Messrs. Smith, the aloin crystals of Socotrine aloes, strongly doubly refract and depolarize light, and are, therefore, beautiful objects when viewed by the polarizing microscope.

The crystals of aloin contained in Socotrine aloe juice cannot be confounded with the crystals of oxalate and phosphate of lime found in the juices of various plants, and which are called by botanists _raphides_. The appearance under the microscope of the former is very different from that of the latter. Moreover, the ready fusibility, solubility, and complete combustibility of aloin crystals easily distinguish them from the calcareous salts just referred to. On platinum foil the aloin burns without leaving any residue, except such as may arise from the presence of traces of some foreign matter.

Aloin may be readily obtained from the juice by mixing the latter with spirit (either rectified or proof,) and collecting and drying the precipitate. When procured in this way it appears to the naked eye like a yellow powder; but when examined by the microscope it is found to consist of minute fragments of crystals.

The tincture from which the aloin has been separated, yields by distillation a spirit having the fragrant odor of the juice; showing that the latter contains some volatile odorous principle. By evaporation the tincture yields a resiniform extract.

In the first edition of my _Elements of Materia Medica_, published 1840, I have stated, that by digesting hepatic aloes in rectified spirit of wine, a yellowish granular powder is obtained which is insoluble in [cold] water, alcohol, ether, and dilute sulphuric acid, but is readily soluble in a solution of caustic potash, forming a red colored liquid. The powder like residue here referred to, is identical with the aloin of Socotrine aloes. When examined by the microscope, it is perceived to consist of very minute prismatic crystals, which depolarize polarized light like the larger crystals of aloin above referred to. I {239} think, therefore, that it may be safely inferred that hepatic aloes has been prepared without the employment of artificial heat, and that its opacity is due to the presence of minute crystals of aloin.

When Socotrine aloes is digested in rectified spirit, an insoluble portion is also obtained; but its color, instead of being yellow, as in hepatic aloes, is dark brown. On submitting this dark brown insoluble portion to microscopic examination, I find that it contains depolarizing crystals.

Artificial Socotrine aloes (prepared by evaporating this aloe juice) also yields, when digested in rectified spirit, a dark brown insoluble portion.

I think, therefore, that Socotrine aloes differs from hepatic aloes in the circumstance of its having been prepared by the aid of artificial heat; by which its aloin constituent has become altered. This inference is further substantiated by the fact, that after it has been melted, hepatic aloes is found to have acquired the clearness and transparency of the Socotrine sort.

The clear supernatant portion of aloe juice, from which the above crystals have subsided, would probably also yield, by spontaneous evaporation, an extract resembling, or identical with, Socotrine aloes.

That Socotrine and hepatic aloes were obtained from the same plant, and were not different species of aloes, I have long suspected; and in the first edition of my work on Materia Medica, published in 1840, I have observed that “the similarity of the odor of Socotrine and hepatic aloes leads to the suspicion that they are obtained from the same plant; and which is further confirmed by the two being sometimes brought over intermixed, the Socotrine occasionally forming a vein in a cask of the hepatic aloes.”

The intermixture of the two sorts of aloes in the same cask might be explained by supposing that the consolidation of the clear portion of the juice has produced the so-called Socotrine aloes; while the opaque aloin containing portion of juice has yielded what is termed hepatic aloes. {240}

In the third edition of my work above alluded to, I have stated that the name of _opaque liver-colored Socotrine aloes_ might with propriety be applied to hepatic aloes. But until the present time I have been unable to offer a plausible explanation of the cause of the difference in these two commercial kinds of aloes.

From the preceding remarks I think we may infer:

1. That _aloin_ pre-exists in a crystalline form in the juice of Socotrine aloes.

2. That the substance which deposits as a decoction of Socotrine aloes cools, and which is usually termed the _resin_ or the _resinoid_ of Socotrine aloes, is the aloin in a modified state.

3. That hepatic aloes[22] is the juice of the Socotrine aloes plant which has been solified without the aid of artificial heat.

4. That hepatic aloes owes its opacity to the presence of minute crystals of aloin.

5. That the juice of Socotrine aloes yields, when evaporated by artificial heat, an extract possessing all the properties of commercial Socotrine aloes.—_Pharm. Journ. April, 1852._

[22] By the term “_hepatic aloes_” I mean the opaque liver-colored aloes imported into England from the East Indies (usually from Bombay). This sort of aloes is very different from the _hepatic Barbadoes aloes_, which formerly appears to have been exclusively called “hepatic aloes.”

THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COD-LIVER OIL.

BY DR. H. L. WINCKLER.

Of all the drugs which have been introduced into medical practice within the last ten years, none has excited so much attention, and has met with so favorable a reception, as cod-liver oil. To what principles its peculiar properties are to be referred, has not yet been ascertained. By some they have been attributed {241} to the presence of a small quantity of iodine; but this has not proved a satisfactory explanation. Many chemists have endeavoured to solve this problem, but without success.—Amongst others, Dr. de Jongh, who attributed its virtue to gaduin—a new principle which he had discovered in the oil, with the usual fatty acids, and some of the constituents of bile, and traces of iodine and bromine.

The results of my researches are different, in an important degree. According to my experience, cod-liver oil is _an organic whole_ of a peculiar character, differing in its chemical composition from any of the fat oils which have been heretofore applied to medical purposes.

The evidences for this conclusion are the following:―

1. When the clear, pale cod-liver oil is saponified with potash, and the resulting soap treated with tartaric acid, oleic and margaric acids are obtained.

2. When a mixture of six parts of caustic potash, twenty-four parts of distilled water, and twenty-four parts of cod-liver oil, after being allowed to remain at an ordinary temperature, and often shaken, and finally diluted with twenty-four parts of distilled water, is distilled, a distillate is obtained, which possesses an intense odor of cod-liver oil, and contains an appreciable quantity of a peculiar organic compound, namely, oxide of propyl.

3. When nine parts of cod-liver oil are saponified with five parts of oxide of lead, with the necessary quantity of distilled water, in a porcelain vessel, by the heat of a water bath, the oil is decomposed into oleic and margaric acids, and a new acid propylic acid. The chief part of this acid combines, like the oleic and margaric acids, with the oxide of lead, as it appears, to form a basic compound; and another lead salt, probably an acid one, can be washed out of the plaister with distilled water. It is worthy of remark, that no glycerine is formed in this process. The plaister smells of train oil and herrings; and when it is exposed in a thin layer to the action of the atmosphere in a water bath, it becomes colored dark brown, after the {242} evaporation of the water; and by the same means it loses its penetrating odor. The cause of the coloring is due to the strong disposition which the salts of propylic acid possess to oxidize, and consequently, to become brown. When the solution of the acid propylate of lead is treated with sulphuretted hydrogen, after the separation of the sulphuret of lead, is obtained an entirely colorless and strongly acid reacting solution, which by evaporation in a water bath, becomes by degrees colored. At the commencement of the last part of the operation it loses its penetrating odor, and at last leaves a dark brown residue. Exactly in the same manner, the watery solutions of neutral propylates of barytes and ammonia behave themselves. The neutral, colorless, and undecomposed ammoniacal salt smells of herrings; and the baryta salt, as concentrated decoction of meat.

4. When the before-described (No. 2) solution of cod-liver oil soap is thrown into a capacious distillery apparatus, with the addition of caustic lime and chloride of ammonium, (in the proportion of six drachms of caustic potash, three ounces of cod-liver oil, six ounces of water, six ounces of fresh burnt lime, and one drachm of chloride of ammonium,) with the precaution, that the mixture of lime and chloride of ammonium be not added until the soap is formed in the retort, so that it may penetrate thoroughly the mass, and the distillation proceeded with by means of a gentle heat, as the formation of hydrate of lime evolves considerable heat, there distils rather quickly a clear, watery fluid, over which is a concentrated solution of propylamin free from ammonia. By saturating this solution with diluted sulphuric acid, and adding alcohol, sulphate of propylamin readily crystallizes out of it.

This simple experiment serves to prove, with certainty, that cod-liver oil contains oxide of propyl. The propylamin thus obtained possesses all the properties of that obtained from the pickle of herrings, or ergot of rye.

Cod-liver oil by saponification with potash, is separated into oleic and margaric acids, and _oxide of propyl_; and with oxide {243} of lead, into oleic and margaric acids, and propylic acid—a higher result of the oxidation of propyl—and gives by either process of saponification no _hydrate of the oxide of glycyl_. The glycyl (C‗{6} H‗{3}) is in this oil replaced by propyl (C‗{6} H‗{7}). Only in cod-liver oil are the conditions offered for the formation of propylamin (N H‗{2} C‗{6} H‗{7}), by the presence of ammonia, as all the fat oils employed in medicine are free from this substance; therefore none of these oils can be substituted for cod-liver oil.

[Should this research of Winckler, as to the existence of the hydrate of the oxide of propyl in combination with the fatty acids in cod-liver oil, be confirmed, it will establish an important fact in chemistry, and may explain the therapeutic action of that remedy which has heretofore puzzled both chemists and physicians. The combinations of the radical propyl have been previously only known as artificial productions; therefore Wincklers’s experiments, if true, show that they exist in nature, or, in other words, that they are educts, and not products, from cod-liver oil. Moreover, the presence of oxide of propyl, and the absence of oxide of glycyl in cod-liver oil, will enable chemists to distinguish by tests, with certainty, this oil from other fatty oils.]—_Annals of Pharmacy, June, 1852._

GUARANA.

COMMUNICATED BY D. RITCHIE, SURGEON, R. N.

A medicinal substance named guaraná was presented to me about two years ago by a Brazilian. The virtues which he asserted that it possessed induced me to employ it as a remedy in several troublesome and obstinate cases of disease. The consequent benefit was so decided, that I was convinced of the {244} great value it possessed as a remedial agent. This conviction, with the belief that it was still unknown, impelled me to bring the subject under the notice of the _profession_ in this country. A short account of it was therefore transmitted to the editor of the “Edinburgh Monthly Medical Journal,” who forthwith submitted it to Professor Christison. To the kindness and extensive acquirements of this gentleman I am indebted for the information, that the subject had already engaged the attention, of the brothers Martius in Germany, and several French writers. It was a matter of satisfaction to me to find that the opinions I had expressed regarding the great prospective importance of this substance were fully borne out by all those who have diligently examined it.

As a knowledge of the properties and uses of guaraná appears to be still little diffused in this country, I shall consider that I am performing an acceptable service to the medical profession in placing before it an abstract of the more important facts that are known regarding this substance. Public attention was first directed to it by M. Gassicourt in 1817, (Journal de Pharmac., tom. iii., p. 259); but the merit of discovering the source whence it is derived, and of furnishing a more complete description of it, belongs to Von Martius, in the year 1826, (Reise, vol. ii., p. 1061, _et seq._)

The term guaraná is derived from the name of a tribe of Indians, who are dispersed between the rivers Parama and Uruguay, by whom it is very commonly used as a condiment or medicine. It is, however, more extensively prepared for commercial purposes by the Mauhés, an Indian tribe in the province of Tapajoz. It is, according to Martius, prepared from the seeds of the Paullinia sorbilis, a species belonging to the natural family Sapindaceæ. The characters of the species are:—Glabra, caule erecto angulato, foliis pinnatis bijugis, foliolis oblongis, remote sinuato-obtuse-dentatis, lateralibus basi rotundatis, extimo basi cuneato, petiolo nudo angnlato, racemis pubescentibus·erectis, capsulis pyriformibus apteris rostratis, valvulis intus villosis. The seeds, which ripen in the month of {245} October and November, are collected, taken out of their capsules, and exposed to the sun, so as to dry the arillus in which they are enveloped, that it may be more readily rubbed off by the fingers. They are now thrown upon a stone, or into a stone mortar, and reduced to powder, to which a little water is added, or which is exposed to the night dew, and then formed by kneading into a dough. In this condition it is mixed with a few of the seeds entire or contused, and divided into masses, weighing each about a pound, which are rolled into cylindrical or spherical forms. These are dried by the sun or by the fire, and become so hard as to be broken with difficulty. Their surface is uneven, brown, or sometimes black, from the smoke to which they have been subjected; their fractured surface is conchoidal, unequal, and resinoid; color reddish brown, resembling chocolate. This is the guaraná, and in this condition, or reduced to powder, it is kept for use or carried to market. The Museum of the Edinburgh College of Physicians contains a specimen of it in each of these forms. As it is liable to be adulterated with cocoa or mandioca flour, it is of great importance to be aware that the genuine article is distinguished by its greater hardness and density, and that, when powdered, it does not assume a white color, but a grayish-red tint.

A chemical analysis of this substance was first made by Theodore Martius, in 1826, (Buchner’s Repert. de Pharm. xxxi., 1829, p. 370). He found it to consist of a matter (tannin?) which iron precipitated green, resin, a fat green oil, gum, starch, vegetable fibre, and a white, bitter, crystalline product, to which the efficacy of the medicine was principally owing, and which he called guaranine. This he believed to be distinct from, but allied to, theine and caffeine, and to possess the following elementary constituents:—C‗{8}, H‗{10}, O‗{2}, N‗{4}.

Another very careful analysis of guaraná was made in the year 1840, by MM. Berthemot and Dechastélus, (Journal de Pharmacie, tom. xxvi., p. 518, _et seq._), which varies in some degree from the preceding. They found the matter, which {246} was considered to be resin by Martius, a combination of tannin with guaranine, existing in a form insoluble in water or ether. They also determined the perfect identity of the crystalline matter with caffeine. It is found to exist in a much larger proportion in the fruits of the Paullinia than in any of the plants from which it has hitherto been extracted. Alcohol is the only agent which completely removes it from the guaraná. To this solution the addition of lime or hydrated oxide of lead gives, on the one hand, the insoluble tannates, and on the other, the crystalline matter.

The medicinal virtues of this substance have been attentively examined by Theodore Martius, (Op. cit.), and more particularly by Dr. Gavrelle (sur une nouvelle substance médicinale, etc.: Paris, 1840), who employed it very often while in Brazil, as physician to Don Pedro, and afterwards in France. By both it is considered a valuable remedy, and an important addition to the Materia Medica. By the vulgar it is held to be stomachic, antifebrile, and aphrodisiac; is used in dysentery, diarrhœa, retention of urine, and various other affections. It stimulates, and at the same time soothes, the gastric system of nerves. It reduces the excited sensibility of the cœliac plexus, thereby diminishing febrile action, and strengthening the stomach and intestines, particularly restraining excessive mucous discharges, increasing the action of the heart and the arteries, and promoting diaphoresis. It is therefore indicated as a valuable remedy in fevers, or reduced vital power resulting from cold or prolonged wetness, grief, to great muscular exertion, depression of spirits, long watching, and also in colic, flatulence, anorexia, nervous hemicrania, or in a dry condition of the skin. It is contra-indicated in a plethoric or loaded condition of the abdominal viscera, and when there exists determination of blood to the head. It is said to increase the venereal appetite, but to diminish the fecundating power.

In cases where irritation of the urethra or urinary bladder succeed venereal or attend organic disease, it exerts a most salutary effect in soothing the irritability of the mucous {247} membrane, relieving the nervous prostration which accompanies these affections, and exalting vital power. Unlike the disagreeable remedies which are generally, and often without success, employed in these affections, it is taken with pleasure, and with an amount of success which, as far as my experience extends, is universal.

If we examine guaraná according to its chemical characters, it must be guarded as a most valuable substance, from its possessing in so great a proportion that important nitrogenous principle guaranine. This, if not identical with caffeine, is at least analagous to it, and to theine, and theobromine,—all important elements of food and grateful stimulents. From its chemical constitution, then, we may predict with great certainty its physiological action being powerfully tonic; but in the combination in which it is found, experience indicates that it possesses conjoined more valuable properties than belong to the simple tonics. Its power of correcting generally the discharges, and restoring the normal vitality of the mucous membranes, must be viewed as one of these.

Guarana, in the state of powder, is exhibited in doses of ʒj, three or four times daily, mixed with water and sugar, or with syrup and mucilage, conjoined with an aromatic, as cinnamon, vanilla, or chocolate. A convenient form is that of extract, obtained by treating the guaraná with alcohol, and evaporating to the consistence of pills. This may be exhibited in the form of solution or pills. The Brazilians, however, use the powder with sugar and water alone, and consider this draught grateful and refreshing.—_Monthly Jour. of Medical Science, May, 1852._

{248}

COLORED FIRES FOR PYROTECHNICAL PURPOSES.

Erdmann, in the last number of his journal, gives the following formulæ for preparing colored fires, which he has proved and found to answer the purpose intended admirably. He particularly enjoins the caution that the ingredients, after being powdered in a mortar _separately_, should be mixed with the hand, as dangerous explosions would inevitably follow from the ingredients being rubbed together with any hard substance.

Red.

Chlorate of potash, 61 parts. Sulphur, 16 parts. Carbonate of strontia, 23 parts.

Rose Red.

Chlorate of potash, 61 parts. Sulphur, 16 parts. Chloride of calcium, 23 parts.

Yellow, No. 1.

Chlorate of potash, 61 parts. Sulphur, 16 parts. Dried soda, 23 parts.

Yellow, No. 3.

Saltpetre, 61 parts. Sulphur, 17 1/2 parts. Dried soda, 20 parts. Charcoal, 1 1/2 parts.

Dark Blue.

Chlorate of potash, 60 parts. Sulphur, 16 parts. Carbonate of copper, 12 parts. Burnt alum, 12 parts.

Sulphate of potash and ammonio-sul- phate of copper may be added to render the color more intense.

Purple Red.

Chlorate of potash, 61 parts. Sulphur, 16 parts. Chalk, 23 parts.

Orange Red.

Chlorate of potash, 52 parts. Sulphur, 14 parts. Chalk, 34 parts.

Yellow, No. 2.

Saltpetre, 50 parts. Sulphur, 16 parts. Dried soda, 20 parts. Gunpowder, 14 parts.

Light Blue.

Chlorate of potash, 61 parts. Sulphur, 16 parts. Burnt alum, 23 parts.

Dark Violet.

Chlorate of potash, 60 parts. Sulphur, 16 parts. Carbonate of potash, 12 parts. Burnt alum, 12 parts.

Light Violet.

Chlorate of potash, 54 parts. Sulphur, 14 parts. Carbonate of potash, 16 parts. Burnt alum, 16 parts.

{249}

Green.

Chlorate of potash, 73 parts. Sulphur, 17 parts. Boracic acid, 19 parts.

Light Green.

Chlorate of potash, 60 parts. Sulphur, 16 parts. Carbonate of barytes, 24 parts.

_For Theatrical Purposes._

White, No. 1.

Saltpetre, 64 parts. Sulphur, 21 parts. Gunpowder, 15 parts.

White, No. 2.

Saltpetre, 64 parts. Sulphur, 22 parts. Charcoal, 2 parts.

Red.

Nitrate of strontia, 56 parts. Sulphur, 24 parts. Chlorate of potash, 20 parts.

Green.

Nitrate of barytes, 60 parts. Sulphur, 22 parts. Chlorate of potash, 18 parts.

Rose.

Sulphur, 20 parts. Saltpetre, 32 parts. Chlorate of potash, 27 parts. Chalk, 20 parts. Charcoal, 1 parts.

Blue.

Saltpetre, 27 parts. Chlorate of potash, 28 parts. Sulphur, 15 parts. Sulphate of potash, 15 parts. Ammonio-sulphate of copper, 15 parts.

EXTRACTUM LOBELIÆ FLUIDUM.

BY WILLIAM PROCTER, JR.

Having had occasion to prepare a fluid extract of lobelia at the solicitation of a druggist, the following process was employed, which is based on the fact, that in the presence of an excess of acid, the lobelina of the natural salt which gives activity to the drug, is not decomposed and destroyed by the heat used, as explained on a former occasion, (vol. xix. page 108 of this Journal.)

Take of Lobelia (the plant,) finely bruised, eight ounces, (troy)

Acetic acid one fluid ounce. Diluted Alcohol three pints. Alcohol six fluid ounces. {250}

Macerate the lobelia in a pint and a half of the diluted alcohol, previously mixed with the acetic acid, for twenty-four hours; introduce the mixture into an earthen displacer, pour on slowly the remainder of the diluted alcohol, and afterwards water until three pints of tincture are obtained; evaporate this in a water bath to ten fluid ounces, strain, add the alcohol and, when mixed, filter through paper.

Each teaspoonful of this preparation is equal to half a fluid ounce of the tincture. It may be employed advantageously to make a syrup of lobelia, by adding two fluid ounces of the fluid extract, to ten fluid ounces of simple syrup, and mixing. Syrup of lobelia is an eligible preparation for prescription use, in cases where lobelia is indicated as an expectorant.—_American Journal of Pharmacy._

NEW METHOD FOR PREPARING AND EXHIBITING PROTIODIDE OF IRON.

BY M. H. BONNEWYN.

Several methods have been proposed for the preparation and exhibition of protiodide of iron, all of which are, as far as I am acquainted with them, subject to many inconveniences and objections. It is on this account that I offer to my fellow-laborers a new method, which both on account of its uniformity of action and facility of administration, deserves to be adopted universally.

Every practical man knows that all preparations of protiodide of iron are bad, for instance, syrupus ferri iodidi is a medicine which is generally disliked, and in some individuals causes nausea and even vomiting. The pilulæ ferri iodidi {251} likewise disagree with some constitutions, and when they seem to agree, they never produce the same regular effects even if prepared at the same labratory. According to trials made by an experienced physician, who has administered the protiodide, prepared according to my method, I am assured that this remedy prepared by a double decomposition in the stomachs of the patients, has always agreed with them, and produced more constant and salutary effects. It is already a well-known fact, that the iodide of iron in its incipient state is better assimilated by the organs.

No. 1. Dissolve one gramme of iodide potassium in 300 grammes of water. No. 2. Take sulphate of iron 1 1/2 grammes; make a powder and divide into eighteen equal parts. Dissolve one of the powders in a large table-spoonful of sugared water before swallowing it; take immediately afterwars, one table-spoonful of the solution.

It is evident that by this operation, each time their is produced in the stomach one grain, or about five centigrammes of iodide of iron in its incipient state.

Although these proportions do not correspond absolutely, but only approximately with their chemical equivalents, nevertheless, their effects answer fully the purposes both of the chemist, and Physician.—_Annals of Pharmacy and Practical Chemistry._

TANNATE OF ZINC.—The preparation announced of late, under the name of the Salt of Barnit, as infallible against gonorrhœra when used as an injection, is, according to the analysis of M. Chevalier, a tannate of zinc. This salt which is soluble, may be prepared by saturating a solution of tannic acid with freshly precipitated and moist oxide of zinc, filtering and evaporating in a water bath.

{252}

EDITORIAL.

THE CONVENTION.—We cheerfully give place to the following _notice_ from Dr. Guthrie, in regard to the approaching meeting of the Pharmaceutical Convention. We regret to learn that the time appointed, is not the most convenient one for many of the delegates whom we may expect from the south. It is too late, however, to change the time of meeting, were there any authority by which such change could be made. In view of the importance of the object, we hope that there may be a full attendance on the part of the delegates, even at the cost of some personal sacrifice. If the whole country be represented, a time can then be chosen for a future meeting which will suit a majority of those present:―

“NOTICE.—The Annual Meeting of the U. S. Pharmaceutical Convention, will take place in Philadelphia, on Wednesday, the 6th of October next.

It being a matter of much importance that this meeting should number as many of our Druggists and Chemists as possible, I deem it proper to suggest that not only all regularly incorporated and unincorporated associations of this kind should see that they are fully represented, but that where no associations exist as yet, the apothecaries should send one or more of their number as delegates to the convention,—such will, no doubt, be cheerfully admitted to seats in the convention.

This meeting it is to be hoped, will either take the necessary steps to the formation of a regular and permanent national organization, or possibly effect such organization during its sittings.

We trust all who feel an interest in this important subject, will remember the time and place, and give us their assistance in person or by delegate.

C. B. GUTHRIE, _President of Convention_.”

THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY.—The editor of the American Journal of Pharmacy, has done much to raise the standard of American Pharmacy. He has a solid reputation founded on large knowledge and great industry. It is with pleasure then that we observe the attention he bestows upon our Journal. He has taken, however, rather an unusual course, in animadverting separately upon most of the directly practical articles that have appeared in our pages, and his criticisms have given rise to some reclamations on the part of our contributors, which we subjoin:―

COMMENTS ON “COMMENTS.”—The American Journal of Pharmacy (Philadelphia), for July, contains “Pharmaceutical notices, being extracts from various articles in the New York Journal of Pharmacy, with comments by the editor,” in which {253} our friend Procter, criticises, rather severely, some of the pharmaceutical formulæ and suggestions that have been offered in this Journal. With full respect for the great acquirements and high character as a practical pharmaceutist, to which my friend Procter is justly entitled, I should have been glad if the articles, upon which he comments, had met his approval; and I know of no one that I would rather should set me right, if anything that I have offered does not find acceptance with him. With the greater part of his comments, I do not think there is occasion for controversy,—matters of fact readers can judge for themselves, and it certainly is of little consequence, who may be found in error, compared with the elucidation of truth.

* * * * *

In respect to the _consistence_ of Syrup of Gum Arabic, he is probably nearer right, (during this hot weather, at any rate) than I was, and still, I think he is not right. My experience with the present officinal formula, had been in the cold season, when I found the syrup decidedly too thick for convenient use, especially by itself; a large proportion of it crystallized in the temperature of the shop, and the mouth and neck of the bottle choked up with candied syrup every two or three times it was used. I had found the former syrup to answer very well in regard to consistence and flavor, though, it certainly could not be considered permanent; it had to be made in small quantities and frequently; indeed, I do not suppose that any liquid combination of gum, sugar and water only, can be made of a permanent character. Since reading Mr. Procter’s comments, I have made this syrup again by the present formula, and it does keep decidedly better at this season, than that made in the other proportions, yet not perfectly; and there is considerable crystallization, even in the very hot weather we have had lately. I infer that syrup which crystallizes at this season, has an excess of sugar in it, the crystals formed tending further to reduce the remaining syrup, and thus sooner promote acidity than if a proportion of sugar had been used which could remain in solution. Perhaps, a medium between the two formulæ could be hit upon, in which the proper balance might be better attained.

* * * * *

In the formula offered for Compound Syrup of Squill, in our Journal for April, there is an error of four ounces in the quantity of honey, which should have been _twenty-two_ ounces. Whether it was made by the printer or not cannot be ascertained, as “the _copy_ has been destroyed.” I had not noticed it until my attention was called to it by Mr. Procter’s comments. The quantity of sugar used by me in making this syrup was, for convenience, one pound avoirdupois weight; that of honey, one pound and a half, same weight. In transcribing the formula for a medical Journal, I thought I must, per custom, render it in troy weights; so as 15 oz. troy are 200 grs. more than one pound av., I set down 15 oz., and intended to set down 22 oz. of honey, as being only 60 grs. more than one pound and a half av. I think this addition of 4 oz. of honey will make the whole come up to Mr. Procter’s measure of “56 fluid ounces before the ebullition,” &c., and a little over. The boiling can be continued only for a few minutes. I was formerly in the practice of boiling to three pints, and adding 48 grs. tartar emetic, but finding that I had to evaporate more than half a pint, and judging that {254} the strength of the resulting preparation was rather lessened than increased thereby, I concluded to stop at three and a half pints. As to the proportion of sugar and honey, they amount together to 2 1/2 pounds av., which with two pints of an evaporated menstruum, containing the extractive matter soluble in diluted alcohol of 8 oz. of the roots, furnishes a syrup of good consistence. It may be observed, that solution of sugar in a menstruum so charged, is quite different from that in water. Perhaps, however, an equal amount of sugar with that of the honey, would be preferable. I can only say, that I employed the same quantity a number of times, but reduced it several years since, because it appeared to be too much for some reason, the particulars of which I do not recollect. And as this formula has always given me a satisfactory preparation, I have thought no more about it, until now. Or perhaps, it would be better to continue the evaporation to three pints, with the advantage of producing a more symmetrical result, corresponding, at the same time, with the quantity of the Pharmacopœia. But, is not the officinal formula “almost as far out of the way” the _other_ way? Forty-two oz. of sugar in forty-eight fluid oz. of syrup! Can such an amount remain in solution twenty-four hours at any ordinary temperature? If mine is an “_anomaly_,” is not this an _impossibility_, “in point of consistence”? In reference to the alcoholic objection, it may be remarked, that the evaporation in the case commented upon, is not “from 4 pints of tincture to 2 pints,” but from 4 3/4 pints to 2 pints. The small portion of alcohol, that may remain after this evaporation and the continued heat to the end of the process, can scarcely be of serious consequence in the doses in which it is prescribed; it may have some influence in preserving the syrup, and also in promoting its medical action. Be all this as it may, so far as taste is a criterion, this preparation appears to be of at least double strength in the qualities of both roots, of the officinal syrup carefully made by the second process given,—the first being, as I suppose, with all apothecaries of the present day, “an obsolete idea.”

G. D. C.

REMARKS ON THE COMMENTS MADE BY THE EDITOR OF THE PHILADELPHIA JOURNAL OF PHARMACY, ON SOME EXTRACTS FROM VARIOUS ORIGINAL ARTICLES, PUBLISHED IN THE NEW YORK JOURNAL OF PHARMACY:—After giving the formula for preparing Stramonium Ointment, as modified by E. Dupuy, the editor of our contemporary adds, “the objection to the officinal formula on the score of color, is hardly valid, and if it was so, it would be better to color it with extract of grass, than to substitute a preparation which will constantly vary in strength and appearance or with the age of the leaves. The officinal extract of stramonium, is easily incorporated with lard, and produces a brown colored ointment of comparatively uniform strength.” We do not pretend to have furnished a formula vastly superior to that received in our officinal guide. But as we were writing for our locality chiefly, and knowing the general expectation {255} and usage of furnishing stramonium ointment of a green color, we have given a formula which does furnish an ointment having a proper strength, requisite color, without the loss of time and material necessarily incurred in manufacturing a color ad hoc as suggested by W. Procter, Jr., which from the contamination of the decomposed chlorophylle of the extract, would never compare favorably (notwithstanding all that useless waste of trouble,) so far as its appearance is concerned, with the far readier mode proposed for transforming at once by a few short manipulations the dry stramonium into an alcoholic extract and ointment without liability to alteration during the process. Respecting the keeping of both ointments, we can affirm that the one prepared by the modified formula, will keep as well if not better and longer, than the other, and as the color is a point of some importance for our public and practitioners, we are satisfied that it will be preferred on the score of economy of time as well as for its color, which is desirable at least within our circle of custom.

EMPLASTRUM EPISPASTICUM WITH CAMPHOR AND ACETIC ACID.—Mr. Procter, objects to the addition of acetic acid to the officinal blistering cerate, and seems to smile at the idea of fixing by it the volatile principle of the cantharis, which, by the way, he gratuitously makes the author to say is a neutral substance, when he says not a word about it. He quotes the authority of Mr. Redwood, who in the Pharmaceutical Journal, October, 1841, speaks of acetic acid as not being a good solvent for cantharidine. The reason is, in all probability, from the fact of his using the London standard strength, which is but 1.48. For Messrs. Lavini and Sobrero, (Memoire lu a l’academie des sciences de Turin, 9 Mars, 1845,) state that “concentrated acetic acid,, dissolves cantharidine, but more readily under the influence of heat.” Respecting the volatility of cantharidine, these same chemists have stated in the same paper “that while manipulating with but 52 grammes of flies, for the researches they were making on cantharidine, one of them suffered from blisters produced on the face and lips, by the emanations from these insects.” Besides their authority, Soubeiran, in his Traite de Pharmacie, and Dorvault in the Officine, both state that cantharidine is a very volatile substance, even at ordinary temperature, and if that is, as it appears to be, the ease, what reliable information have we that only 1-30th of a grain was volatilized in the experiment mentioned by W. Procter, Jr., made with 100 grs. of powdered cantharides? Is it not very probable, that in removing the hygrometric water, much more was lost?

Whatever may be the changes which take place by the addition of acetic acid in a concentrated state, it is a fact, proved by experience, that the blistering plaster thus prepared, keeps better—that is, retains its power longer than the officinal one even exposed to the air in thin layers. As an example of the stability of this combination, we have _Brown’s Cantharidine_ which, to all appearance, is made from an etherial extract of cantharides additioned with concentrated acetic acid and incorporated in melted wax. We find such a mixture, although spread on paper and but imperfectly protected from the air, retaining for a long period its vesicating properties. Is this advantage produced by a simple acid {256} saponification of the cerate, without reaction on the active principle, but that of protecting it from atmospheric influences? We think it probable that there is a modification taking place, both on the cantharis and other components of the cerate.

E. D.

THE RICHMOND PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY.—A large number of the Druggists and Apothecaries of the city of Richmond, held a meeting on the 11th of June for the purpose of forming a Pharmaceutical Society, and, having appointed a committee to draft a constitution and bye-laws, and to report to an adjourned meeting, on the 28th of the same month, assembled on that day, and adopted the constitution and bye-laws reported by the committee. The election of officers was postponed until the 6th of July.

At a full meeting of those who had signed the constitution, the following gentlemen were elected officers of the society, for the next twelve months, viz:―

_President_, ALEXANDER DUVAL. _1st Vice President_, JAMES P. PURCELL. _2nd Vice President_, J. B. WOOD. _Recording Secretary_, CHAS. MILLSPAUGH. _Corresponding Secretary_, S. M. ZACHRISSON. _Treasurer_, W. S. BEERS. _Librarian_, JOHN T. GRAY.

After which, several nominations for members and associate members having been made, the society adjourned to Monday, 13th instant, that the President might, during the recess, appoint the standing committees, as required by the constitution.

The Society having assembled on the 13th instant, the following committees were reported:―

_Committee on Admission_—J. Bum, John T. Gray, E. J. Pecot.

_Committee on Pharmaceutical Ethics_—O. A. Strecker, S. W. Zachrisson, A. Bodeker.

_Committee of Finance_—Peyton Johnston, Benjamin F. Ladd, Edward McCarthy.

_Committee on Library_—Andrew Leslie, James P. Purcell, William M. Dade.

_Executive Committee_—John Purcell, W. S. Bum, R. R. Duval:―

After which, several nominations were made. Appropriations were placed at the disposal of the library committee for subscriptions to various periodicals, and for the purchase of books, after which, the meeting adjourned.

{257}

NEW YORK

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY.

SEPTEMBER, 1852.

ON THE OIL OF GRAIN SPIRIT, OR FUSEL OIL.

BY EDWARD N. KENT.

The oil of grain spirit, has recently attracted considerable attention from the fact of its being the basis of a number of artificial perfumes or essences, one of which has been extensively used under the name of banana or pear essence.

The crude oil, as is well known, consists principally of hydrated oxide of amyl, mixed with more or less alcohol, and small quantities of other substances, the nature of which is not generally known, though it has been asserted that œnanthic ether and œnanthic acid may be found among them. To obtain the latter articles was a desired object, and that which led to the subject of this paper.

Crude fusel oil, (or oil of grain spirit) when distilled in a glass retort, commences to pass over at about 190° Fahrenheit, and a considerable portion is obtained below 212; which consists mostly of alcohol and water, with a small quantity of the hydrated oxide of amyl. By changing the receiver and continuing the operation to about 280°, a large product is obtained, consisting principally of hydrated oxide of amyl, but contaminated with a little alcohol and water, and a trace of less volatile oil, which may be found in larger quantity in the residue remaining in the retort. This residue is small, of an agreeable odor, and consists of several substances among {258} which may be found, an oil having the intoxicating smell, but not the chemical properties of œnanthic ether, other than a similarity in its boiling point.

To obtain a more perfect separation of the substances contained in the crude oil, a small copper still was constructed, on the principal which is now so successfully used in the manufacture of high proof alcohol, and which proved highly useful for the above purpose. This still is so arranged, that the vapor which is evolved by the boiling liquid, passes through a series of bent tubes, each of which is connected with a return pipe for returning vapors less volatile than boiling water, back to the still. These tubes are enclosed in a copper funnel filled with cold water, which becomes heated as the operation proceeds, and finally boils; the less volatile vapors are thus prevented from passing over, and the alcohol and water are almost perfectly separated from the oil remaining in the still.—If the water is then drawn off from the vessel containing the serpentine tube, the distillation may be continued till it ceases spontaneously.

The product thus obtained, when rectified from a little dry caustic potash to remove coloring matter and acetic and valerianic acid, and again rectified from dry quick lime to remove water, gives pure hydrated oxide of amyl.

The residue left in the copper still is most easily obtained by distillation with water, containing a little carbonate of soda to neutralise the free acids contained in it. A small quantity of a yellow oil is thus obtained, having an agreeable vinous odor similar to œnanthic ether, but unlike that ether it yields fusel oil, instead of alcohol, when distilled repeatedly from caustic potash. It is consequently an _amyl_ compound, while œnanthic ether is known to be the œnanthate of oxide of _ethyle_.

The residue remaining in the still after the above distillation with water, consists of acetic and valerianic acids in combination with the soda, and the solution holds in suspension a considerable quantity of byrated oxide of iron, which formerly existed in combination with the acids. {259}

From the above statement it appears that crude fusel oil contains the following substances, viz:―

Alcohol, Water, Hydrated oxide of amyl, Acetic acid, Valerianic acid, Oxide of iron.

And an amyl compound, analagous to œnanthic ether.

EASY METHOD TO MAKE HYPOSULPHITE OF SODA.

BY JOHN C. TALLON.

Happening to inquire the price of hyposulphite of soda of a wholesale druggist, it appeared to me that the cost of its production is _greatly_ under the wholesale price, I therefore suggest to apothecaries who may wish to make it _pure_, for their own consumption, the following: Through a saturated solution of sal soda (ascertained to be free from sulphate) pass sulphurous acid gas until a small quantity, taken out of the solution after agitation, on the end of a glass rod, gives a white precipitate with nitrate of silver; then put the solution into a beaker glass, and boil it with sulphur (about one-twentieth of the weight of the soda in solution) until a little of the liquid, put into a test glass, gives, with a few drops of hydrochloric acid, a precipitate of sulphur, and another portion with nitrate of silver a white precipitate, immediately turning yellow and then black, when the liquid is to be filtered and evaporated quickly, until the salt be crystallized quite dry. The crystals are to be put into a closely stopped bottle, and kept well secured from the atmosphere. The advantage of this process over the common one is that it can be made in the store without any annoyance from the stench of melted sulphur; it costs but little and does not require the _continued_ attention of the operator.

709 Greenwich Street, New York, August 12, 1852.

{260}

NOTES IN PHARMACY, No. 4.

BY BENJAMIN CANAVAN.

TINCTURA BESTUSCHEFFI.—In the last number (8) of this Journal, Mr. Mayer, speaking of this preparation, says that the formula given by me in the May number, is the “oldest” from “the Austrian Pharmacopœia of 1820,” and suggests, as an improvement, preparing the salt by passing through a solution of protochlor. ferri, a current of chlorine, to the proper point of saturation. The formula I gave _is_ the “oldest” and the _original_, for which reason I selected it, affording as it does _the_ “Bestuscheff’s tincture,” at one time so highly valued, and though I did not consider it very creditable to the scientific accuracy of its “fatherland,” it is the one which “did the good.” The advantages, seemingly, claimed by Mr. Mayer for his process, is its affording a more certain preparation. This does not appear evident, as the resulting tincture will be the same, respectively, by whatever process, supposing equal care to be used in conducting it. It may be possible that a stronger solution is obtained, but that is not asserted, nor is it important, as that would concern the _dose_, not the effect of the medicine. The difference, aside from the identity of the preparation, appears to me to be that, in one case experiment will be necessary to ascertain the strength of the tincture, whilst in the other it can be determined more quickly by calculation, but the extra labor required in the process in the later case, more than counterbalances any superiority there may be in this respect. I have, however, no objection to make to Mr. Mayer’s process, which is a very _neat_ way of making “Ethereal Tincture of Sesquichloride of Iron”; but, I think, those who desire to make “Bestuscheff’s Tincture,” will consider it more strictly accurate to adhere to the “oldest formula.”

DECOMPOSED CHLOROFORM.—A specimen of this article lately came into my possession, to which, I think it right to direct the attention of apothecaries, although, its villainous odor was so {261} disagreeable and suffocating, as to render it almost impossible that it could be administered, still it may serve to teach the necessity of all those having to do with the article, exercising such increased care that so bad an article could not pass through their hands unnoticed; for what might be the consequences in such a case if the sensible properties of the article did not happen to be so repugnant? And as it is desirable, in a scientific point of view, to know everything about so important an agent, it is proper and necessary that anything unusual in its regard should be recorded. The article in question, was contained in a badly stopped bottle, and had leaked one-eighth of its quantity. On removing the cupping, an efflorescent crust was observed coating the upper surface of the lip of the bottle and contiguous stopper, of a whitish, partly yellowish-green appearance, having a caustic taste, and washing off readily with water but not with chloroform, and precipitating nitrate of silver; the precipitate being soluble in ammonia and not in nitric acid, leading me to infer from this and other circumstances, that this substance was, probably a hydrochlorate of ammonia. The neck of the bottle before the stopper was removed, presented a yellowish appearance from some colored substance being interposed between it and the stopper, a pretty constant accompaniment of this kind of decomposition, which should always be noted. On removing the stopper, fumes escaped having a most suffocating odor, causing the bottle to be withdrawn quickly from the nostril and giving with ammonia, the white fumes characteristic of hydrochloric acid gas. By exposure the peculiar odor disappeared, and the whole of the liquid passed off without leaving any residue, except a slight greasy appearance on the sides of the glass from which it was evaporated, which _was not_ owing to sulphuric acid. The specific gravity was that of good chloroform, and sulphuric acid acquired no color when agitated with a portion, and the reaction with litmus was strongly acid. The bottle having been emptied, the small portion which adhered to the glass, collecting in the bottom, assumed a yellowish appearance resembling common muriatic acid. Not having leisure or {262} means to make an elaborate examination, I handed some to one of our professors of chemistry, who will make an accurate analysis. In the meantime, I deemed it prudent to note these particulars. A large quantity of the article, made at the same time and by the same process, I have since learned, has been found to have undergone a similar change. The manufacturer, supposes the decomposition to have arisen in some way from the sulphuric acid used in the process after the manner of Professor Gregory, although every means was used to separate it and none could be detected in it when recently made; some, however, which was thus supposed to be free from acid, I found to slightly redden litmus, although the smell was remarkably fine; but it has been found I learn, that of two specimens of the article taken from the same bottle and _exposed to the light_, one underwent decomposition and the other not. It has occurred to me, that the surest way of separating the acid would be to distil the chloroform from it; but it should be remembered that the process of Gregory, was intended to be adopted for smaller quantities for immediate use, and not for its manufacture on a large scale, to be kept.

SUPPOSITORIA.—In the number of the _New York Medical Times_ for December, 1851, I took occasion to mention the superiority of cacao butter, to the other excipients for the formation of suppositories, a means of medication which had _become almost obsolete_; not unlikely from the circumstance of their having been prepared with iritating substances which counteracted their intended effect. In the last (July) number of the _American Journal of Pharmacy_, (Philadelphia,) Mr. A. B. Taylor, (who has not, apparently, seen my little note,) gives several formulas for these, which require the cacao butter to be melted, in which state the medicament is incorporated with it, &c. I recur to the subject for the purpose of stating that I have not found it necessary to adopt this very troublesome and tedious, not to say inaccurate method. The article, at all seasons, becomes sufficiently plastic when “worked” in the mortar, or in very cold weather, with the addition of a drop or so of almond or {263} other proper oil, to admit of being _rolled_ with the spatula into form, the most convenient one for which I have found to be that of a cylinder about an inch long, weighing twenty grains, and fitting exactly the calibre of the instrument used for introducing them, which I generally use as a mould. The active ingredients used are mostly sulph. morph. and extr. opii aquos. the latter of which is superior to opium, of course, being _nearly_ free from narcotine. _Vaginal suppositories_ would be equally applicable and useful as anal ones.

EDITOR AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY.—Professor Proctor has done me the honor to notice, favorably, some trifles which I have found time to contribute to our Journal, among others an observation concerning the supposed decomposition of Fowler’s solution, with respect to which he says he “does not understand where the garlicky odor came from, as it is only the _vapor_ of metallic arsenic that possesses this peculiarity.” I beg to assure the Professor that the odor _came from the bottle_. The immediate cause of it is certainly _mist_-erious, though it is not impossible that among the intricacies of chemical action sufficient heat may have been evolved to act on how small soever a portion of the metal in a _nascent state_ as to cause the peculiar odor. _Spontaneous combustion_ taking place in a mass of the common mineral known as “cobalt,” produces, unmistakeably, both vapor and the odor of arsenic, and I have heard of a ships’ crew having been salivated by the vapor arising from a cargo of quicksilver in a high latitude. A very much lower degree of heat is required to produce vapor than might be supposed from the point of volatility of the substance whence it emanates, an instance in point being the familiar process of boiling water; but this is rather a _cloudy point_ which would require the acumen of a certain celebrated jury to elucidate, and to their tender mercies it is perhaps the better part to consign it.

{264}

GENERAL REPORT UPON THE RESULTS AND EFFECTS OF THE “DRUG LAW,” MADE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

BY C. B. GUTHRIE, M. D.

The act of Congress, approved 26th of June, 1848, entitled “an Act to prevent the importation of spurious and adulterated drugs and medicines,” having now been in existence and enforcement almost three years, the working of the law and its effects, immediate and remote, have become necessarily matters of fact, and are no longer left to conjecture and speculation.

At the time of the passage of this law by congress, no inconsiderable fears were entertained by its friends, and great hopes by its enemies, that it would be found impracticable to carry out its requisite provisions without great injury to that portion of our citizens engaged in the importation of this class of merchandize, in which event its repeal would, of course, have been urgently solicited.[23]

[23] Strong _prima facie_ evidence of the popularity of this law may be found in this significant fact that not a petition for its repeal has ever been presented to Congress.

In entering upon the duties of the commission, which I had the honor to recieve from the department, I was fully impressed with the importance of the information sought for, and the necessity of a candid, impartial and unbiassed examination of facts bearing upon the subject, and in making, to the department, this report, I have divided my results and facts into immediate and remote; the reasons for which, will appear in the detail. Under the general terms drugs and medicines, are embraced all articles intended for the treatment of the diseases of the human system, and though they admit of many subdivisions, these terms, included under the two heads of chemicals and compounds, and crude drugs, are all that is necessary for my {265} purpose in speaking of the effects and applications of the law.

First, with regard to the effect upon chemicals and compound medicines.: Previous to the passage of this law, no restriction was laid upon any class of medicines coming in under this head. If the importer paid the requisite duty, no questions were asked, no limit was fixed as to quality or condition. It needs no argument, but merely a mention of the fact, to show that any compound medicine or chemical preparation may be so made as to deceive the unsuspecting and uneducated, and even very often the druggist, apothecary, physician, and all, because they were not in the habit of analysing their articles, and were deceived by their external, often times very fine appearance. Under the combined influence of competition and avarice—two strong temptations, the manufacture of articles of this class had become systematised, and on purpose to supply the United States market.

The immediate and positive beneficial results of the law may be seen in the fact that now very few, if indeed any, spurious or sophisticated chemical preparations, for pharmaceutical purposes, are even offered at our ports, or by any possibility find their way into our markets. Manufacturing chemists and importers of this description of medicines, finding it impossible to get such goods through our custom houses, will, of course, not risk the loss of bringing them here, but in their stead will import such as are known to come up to our required standards. Under this general head of chemicals, may be included a large majority of the manufactured and compound medicines used in practice by the medical faculty, and all the most important usually purchased by others for domestic uses, more especially in the great west and south, where every man, almost, is obliged to learn the uses and doses of calomel, blue mass and quinine, &c. The certainty of purity in these articles alone, is a matter of no small moment to the community at large; of the probabilities of their home adulteration I shall also refer to elsewhere.

A few articles of this class may now and then, either through {266} culpable negligence on the part of the inspector, or by being entered under a false name, be imported, but they must be few, and are daily growing less. An instance of this kind has occurred in New York, where a large lot of sulphate of lime was offered in market, under the name of precipitated chalk. The New York College of Pharmacy, standing very properly as the guardians of the public health, and protectors of this act, for which they had petitioned and which they had agreed to support, by committee, reported the fact, and warned the holders of the consequences of continuing to sell the article as a medicinal preparation, upon which they very readily withdrew it. How it came into the city that committee have never been able to ascertain, whether imported under the head of plaster of Paris, and thus escaping the eye of the inspector, or whether passed by him, or at some other port, without due test and examination, I am not able to say. That it was imported under a false name, is, to my mind, the most likely of all.

If our Colleges of Pharmacy in the different cities, as I have no doubt they will, continue to thus watch the articles offered them and the public, and act with the independence that has characterised them thus far, no deception of this kind will go long unexposed, and it will soon cease altogether.

No manufactured article, susceptible of adulteration, ought ever to be suffered to pass by the Examiner of drugs without being _sampled_ and tested by analysis, and no matter what its appearances, or what its label; neither the one or the other are guarantees of its purity, for both may alike be counterfeits. The more popular the maker, the higher his name and reputation, the more likely his name, label, bottle and article to be counterfeited, as has Pelletier’s name to the article quinine, others to iodide of potassium, &c. &c.

Secondly. The effects of the law upon crude drugs and medicines, such as leaves, barks, roots, gums, gum resins, &c. Upon these articles, the effect has been the same as upon chemicals and compound goods. Greater variations must of, course occur in their qualities, as many of them cannot be {267} tested with accuracy; and of the rest, very imperfect standards are to be found in any of the works on pharmacy or materia medica now extant. This was heretofore left entirely in the hands of the examiner at each port, who has been obliged to fix his own standards when there were none laid down in the works referred to in the instructions of the department. Such has been the case with many of our most valuable and important articles of crude drugs, gums, and gum resins,—such as opium, scammony, &c. Such also has been the case with many of the roots and barks, as rhubarb and the cinchona and all its varieties. One may have fixed upon five per cent. of morphine, and another upon eight, another ten, as the standard for opium. Again, the same might occur in admitting or rejecting scammony. One requiring sixty or seventy per cent. of resin, another admitting or rejecting, merely from the physical appearance of the article.

So again with regard to barks, especially the cinchonas—one refusing to admit any except the true medicinal article; another admitting Maricaibo and other false barks usually sold in market as pale bark, or used to adulterate that article.—But, upon the whole class of crude drugs, the effect has been highly beneficial. Greater care is taken in their selection and preparation for market, and a vast quantity of many kinds of barks and roots heretofore finding daily their way into market either in their simple worthlessness or mixed with purer and different articles, are now scarcely, if ever found; and if seen, they are about the last of their kind.—Now and then, an article may get through our ports, by some adroit means of deception, or be slipped in at a port where there is no examiner, but this must be but seldom.—But recently, in New York, I saw several casks of gum guaic, the heads of which, for about six inches, were filled with a fair article, while the remaining portion of the cask was made up of the vilest trash imaginable. This is but a shallow trick that could not be often repeated, for though it might decieve the examiner (as it did not), it would meet detection in {268} the hands of the jobber, who would not fail to claim damages from the importer at once. Another mode of evading the law, is by sending sample packages to the examining office, or such cases as are known to be all right, and getting the whole invoice passed by them. This can only be guarded against by the examiner being always upon the alert, and where there is the least doubt, refusing to pass anything except what he sees and knows to be correct as to quality. The facility with which this fraud may be practised, led the convention of the Colleges of Pharmacy to recommend that every package should be examined; an opinion, I then and now fully concur in. Many similar instances, both in regard to chemicals, chemical preparations and all sorts of crude drugs, might be given, but they have no bearing upon the object of this report, only as they point to a necessity for the law’s continuance.

Another immediate result of the law is the exclusion of damaged drugs. Heretofore no state of damage or decay, whether little or much, prevented an article, either manufactured or crude, being thrown into market and sold for whatever it purported to be, whether calomel half oxydyzed, iodide of potassium one-third deliquesced, rhubarb one-half rotten, senna in a similar or worse condition from being soaked with salt water—they each sold under their original names, and found their way into the bands of the buyers of _cheap goods_, either in that state or powdered or re-bottled, re-labelled, and done up good as new. The importer got his drawback of twenty-five, fifty, and seventy per cent. of duty. The insurance company sold the goods and paid the difference; bargain getters purchased; the physician prescribed; the apothecary dealt out, and the patient, suffering under the pains and ills of lingering disease, swallowed; all but the last got their pay, while the poor man who bore the unrighteous accumulation of the whole, cursed his physician for not understanding his complaint, and perchance turned his face to the wall and died. This is no fancy sketch, but true, every word of it, and more than once acted out in the dream of every-day life. {269}

Under the proper construction and administration of the law, all this will and is now mostly prevented. It must be evident that any article of medicine essentially damaged, is not fit to be given to the sick as a remedy. This is a very important point, and all examiners should be careful to enforce it strictly, regardless of the specious plea of interested insurance companies or individuals, for any other construction for their general or especial benefit or relief.

In few words then, may be summed up the immediate effects of this law: A purer and better class of chemicals and compound preparations, a material improvement in the quality of crude drugs imported, such as gums, barks, roots, leaves, and an almost entire exclusion of damaged and decayed drugs from our markets.

These results are, in themselves, sufficient to mark the law as one of great value, and to entitle it to a sure claim for perpetuity, and its provisions to a steady enforcement. But they are by no means all that it has accomplished. Its remote or secondary effects, which I propose to point out, are equally important, and they are found in the influence upon our home manufactures and trade.

It has often been claimed that the law was a tariff for protection to home adulteration, and while we shut out the evil in one way, we were equally exposed to it in the shape of home preparations; were this even true, it is no argument against the law for keeping out foreign adulteration, as it is very evident that if both are equally bad, no pure medicine can be had by those who require them, while if we are certain the foreign are pure, we have a choice between the pure and the sophisticated. But I am satisfied that the amount of home adulterations have been over estimated, and that under the effect of this law they are decreasing daily, and perhaps mainly because the demand is decreasing.

I have never believed, though it has been again and again asserted, that our medical gentleman to any great extent, who buy and use most largely of this class of goods, have desired {270} to buy and use inferior medicines, because they were cheap, and my own direct intercourse and observation, as a druggist for five years, aside from a six years’ experience in the profession, has satisfied me of the correctness of my views. I speak of the country at large. Wherever it has been the case, it has been the result of ignorance, as to the appearance and physical properties of drugs that has led them into this error, an error in which, from a like ignorance, they have been kept by their druggist, who has been imposed upon by the bland assurance of the importer or jobber, which led him to take all things of a like name as of the same quality. There are those who buy because cheap, and prescribe, and perchance hope for success in the use of such remedies, but they are not found among our medical gentlemen of education and character and entitled to the respect and confidence of the community at large. The flood of light thrown upon this subject of adulterations of medicines by the reports to Congress; by the report of Dr. Bailey, special examiner for the port of New York; reports to the American Medical Association, and by various other writers in our pharmaceutical and medical journals, through the newspapers of the day, and various other means to the people, has worked, and is working a revolution in the drug trade at large. By a desire and growing necessity for a proper education of pharmaceutists and druggists, a man is no longer considered competent to sell, dispose and deal out medicinal articles affecting the health, life and happiness of his fellow-beings, simply because he can calculate a per centage, or make a profit.

The reform in this department is, I know, but just beginning, though long needed, but it will progress, for public opinion demands, and will continue to demand it.

Physicians, professors of materia medica, and teachers of practical pharmacy and chemistry are feeling it, and the whole course of teaching upon this and kindred branches, has received more attention from both professor and pupil within the two past years, than ever before in the same length of time in the United States. From these combined sources will continue to {271} flow a light that must shine upon and enlighten that ignorance which was permitting men to tamper with the life and health of the community. This has also had the effect to create a demand for pure medicines. Rhubarb is no longer rhubarb unless the quality is such as to commend it to the unfortunate consumer, and calling a thing by a good name is no longer sufficient to redeem it from its lack of curative properties and consequent worthlessness.

Again, the endeavor to come up to the law’s standard for chemicals, the competition with the imported article, the increasing demand for good medicines, together with a commendable emulation among our chemists, has produced an improvement in this class of goods, sufficiently visible to refute all charges of home adulteration because protected from foreign competition; besides this, they are our fellow citizens, within reach of our complaints, with no intermediate dealer to shift the blame of impurity to the other side of the ocean, and thus wash his innocent hands at our cost. With this and the spirit of inquiry as to what we are selling, what we are buying, what we are administering, what we are swallowing with hopes of relief, that is abroad, no man can long escape detection, exposure and consequent loss of business, if engaged in the manufacture or sale of spurious goods.

These opinions are the result of the concurrent testimony of the different examiners, of various dealers in drugs throughout the country, from whom I had before and since my appointment to this commission been in receipt of information, and are fully borne out by my own extensive observation in almost every state in the union.

Without inquiring or pointing out the cause, the testimony to this effect, that the quality Of drugs in general has improved much within the two past years, is almost universal; and a style of drugs and chemicals, and of medicinal preparations, may now be found on sale in our great commercial emporiums, of a quality and purity never before found, certainly not in the United States, and I question if any wherelse. {272}

These are the results of my observations, both as to the remote and immediate, or special and general effects of the law. And I feel that the friends of the law have great reason to congratulate themselves and the community at large, upon the fullest realizations of their hopes as to the good accruing from this sanitary measure.

Those who were reaping an iniquitous harvest either through a desire to do evil for the purposes of gain (if any such there could have been), or through ignorance of the extent of such evil, must themselves feel that the law has worked no wrong to them even though it may have forced them into a different channel of trade. The only ones from whom we shall hear any complaints while the law is carefully and judiciously executed, or from whom we shall hear the plea for “unrestricted commerce,” and the potency of the great laws of trade as in themselves sufficient for the protection of life and health, are those whose prototypes aforetime cried out “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.”

The value of their opinions may be measured by the sincerity of their professions, and the weight of their testimony calculated by the per centage of their gains.

I have pursued my enquiries among drug importers and jobbers, meeting both friends and enemies of the law, among retail apothecaries, professional men and their patients, and my conclusions are that no more popular act, stands upon our congressional record.

I have only to add my sincere wish, that it may long stand as a mark of the enlighted wisdom of the age and nation.

The above report is but the general report upon the working of the law.—It was, we understand, accompanied by a second private and detailed one, regarding the manner in which, at different localities, the law has been carried out.—EDITOR.

{273}

ON THE MANUFACTURE OF NITRATE OF POTASH (SALTPETRE.)

Previous to the middle of the seventeenth century, the chief part of the saltpetre consumed in this country was obtained from refuse animal matters, as is evident from the following edict, issued by James I., for the regulation of the “mynes of salt peter.”—“The King, taking into his consideration the most necessary and important use of gunpowder, as well for supply of his own royall navie, and the shippinge of his lovinge subjects, as otherwise for the strength, safety, and defence of his people and kingdoms, and how greate a blessinge it is of Almighty God to this realm, that it naturally yieldeth sufficient mynes of salt peter for making of gunpowder for defence of ittself, without anie necessitie to depend uppon the dangerous chargeable and casuall supply thereof from forraigne parts, hath sett downe certen orders and constitutions to be from henceforth inviolably kept and observed, for the better maynteyning of the breed and increase of salt peter, and the true making of gunpowder.

“Noe person doe from henceforth pave with stone or bricke, or floare with boarde, anie dove-house or dove-cote, or laie the same with lyme, sand, gravel, or other thing, whereby the growthe and increase of the myne of salt peter maie be hindered or ympaired, but shall suffer the floure or grounde thereof to lye open with goode and mellowe earth, apt to breede increase of the myne and salt peter, and so contynue and keep the same.

“That no innkeepers, or others that keep stables for travellers and passengers, doe use anie deceiptful meanes or devices whereby to destroy or hinder the growthe of salt peter in those stables. And that no stables at all be pitched, paved, or gravelled where the horse feete used to stand, but planked only, nor be paved, pitched, or gravelled before the plankes next the mangers, but that both places be kept and maynteyned with goode and mellowe earth, fitt and apt to breede and increase the myne of salt peter, and laide with nothinge which may hurte the same. {274}

“That all and every such person and persons as having had heretofore had anie dove-house, dove-cote, or stable (which were then good nurseries for the myne of salt peter) have sithence carried out the goode moulde from thence, and filled the place agayne with lyme, sand, gravel, rubbish, or other like stuff, or paved or floored the same, whereby the growthe of salt peter myne there hath been decayed and destroyed, shall and doe within three months next contryve to take up the pavements and boards agayne, and carrie out the said gravel, lyme, and offensive stuff from thence, and fill the place agayne with goode and mellowe earth fitt for the increase of salt peter, three foote deepe at the least, and so contynue and keepe the same for the breede of salt peter myne. No person, of anie degree whatsoever, was to denie or hinder the salt peter man workinge any earth; nor was anie constable to neglect or to forbeare to furnish him with convenient carriages necessarie for his worke; and every justice to whom the salt peter man should address himself for assistance was at his peril to fail to render it, that his majesties service might not suffer by his default. And no one was to give any gratuity or bribe to the salt peter man for forbearinge or sparinge of anie ground or place which may be digged or wrought for salt peter.”

To lessen the annoyance to the owners of these dove-cotes and stable beds of saltpetre, and to promote the comfort of the pigeons, the saltpetre man was “to dig and carrie away the earth in such convenient time of the daie, and work it in suche manner as maie give least disturbance and hurte to the pigeons, and encrease of their breede, and in the chief tyme of breeding, that it be not done above two howers in anie one daie, and that about the middest of the daie, when the pigeons use to be abroade. And shall in like seasonable tyme carrie in the saide earth after it shall be wrought, and spreade itt there, and make flatt the floure of the dove-house, and leave itt well and orderlie.”

In another proclamation, issued two years after this, it was ordered that whensoever anie ould building or house in London {275} within three miles, is to be pulled down and removed, notice is to be given at the king’s storehouse in Southwark, that the deputy may first take as much of the earth and rubbish as in his judgement and experience is fitted for salt peter for the King’s service.”

Soon after, we find that this enactment which caused much complaint, was repealed. “The manufacture of salt peter,” says the king, “had hitherto produced much trouble and grievance to the lieges, by occasioning the digging up the floors of their dove-cotes, dwelling-houses, and out-houses, and had also occasioned great charge to the salt peter men for removing their liquors, tubbes, and other instruments, and carrying them from place to place, but now, divers compounds of salt peter can be extracted by other methods, for which Sir John Brooke and Thomas Russell, Esq., have received letters patent.

“To encourage so laudable a project, all our loving subjects,” continues his majesty, “inhabiting within every city, town, or village, after notice given to them respectively, shall carefully and constantly keep and preserve in some convenient vessels or receptacles fit for that purpose, all the urine of man during the whole year, and all the stale of beasts which they can save and gather together whilst their beasts are in their stables and stalls, and that they be careful to use the best means of gathering together and preserving the urine and stale, without any mixture of water or other thing put therein. Which our commandment and royal pleasure being so easy to be observed, and so necessary for the public service of us and our people, that if any person be remiss thereof, we shall esteem all such persons contemptuous and ill affected both to our person and state, and are resolved to proceed to the punishment of that offender with that severity we may.”

Sir John agreed to remove the liquid accumulations from the houses once in every twenty-four hours in summer time, and every forty-eight hours in winter time.

About the year 1670, the importation of saltpetre from the East Indies (where it is obtained as a natural product, being {276} disengaged by a kind of efflorescence from the surface of the soil) had so increased as to affect the home manufacture, which has since gradually declined and become extinct. The manufacture of saltpetre from sources of the kind above mentioned, is not followed in this country at the present day, and it will be unnecessary to indicate here the process employed in France, Sweden, Germany, and other countries for obtaining it by the decomposition of animal refuse, the more especially as full accounts are given in Knapp’s _Technology_, Ure’s _Dictionary of Arts and Manufactures_, and other standard chemical works; we shall therefore confine our attention to an account of the processes which have been proposed for obtaining nitrate of potash by the decomposition of nitrate of soda and other sources.

The first of these processes is that of adding nitrate of lime to a solution of sulphate of potash; sulphate of lime is precipitated, and nitrate of potash obtained in solution, which, on evaporation yields crystals of that salt.

Mr. Hill’s method of manufacturing nitrate of potash is by decomposing nitrate of soda by means of muriate of potash. For this purpose the nitrate of soda is put into a suitable vessel, made of wrought or cast iron, and dissolved in as much water as is required, and then the equivalent quantity of muriate of potash is added; decomposition ensues, with the formation of nitrate of potash and muriate of soda; the greater portion of the latter is separated during evaporation, as it is equally soluble at all temperatures. The nitrate crystallizes on the cooling of the solution. Specimens of this nitre were shown at the Great Industrial Exhibition.

Mr. Rotch’s processes for converting nitrate of soda into nitrate of potash are as follows:―

_First process with American potashes, (caustic)._—In a suitable round-bottomed iron boiler, he dissolves 2000 lbs. of the ashes in 1000 quarts of water, and then applies heat for three hours, at the end of which time the solution ought to be of a density of 45° Baumè, (sp. gr. 1.453). In a similar boiler he dissolves 1300 lbs. of nitrate of soda in 1200 quarts of water, {277} applying the heat as before, until the solution becomes of the density of 45° Baumé. Both solutions are then allowed to stand for twelve hours to cool and settle. They should be heated to from 175° to 200° Fah., and then both poured into a third vessel or crystallizing pan, when the double decomposition will take place, and the crystals of nitrate of potash be deposited, this first deposition giving from 700 to 900 lbs. of good merchantable saltpetre.

Care must be taken not to let the heat fall below 85°, at which the crystals form; and the better and more regularly the heat is kept up, the speedier will be the deposition of the crystals. The mother-liquor should then be poured off, and the crystals collected and thrown into the centrifugal drying machines, where they may be washed with weak mother-liquors. The portion of nitrate of potash that is left in the mother-liquor may be obtained by crystallization as before.

_Second process with carbonate of potash (Pearlash)._—The pearlash is dissolved in water, and the solution brought to a density of 40° Baumé (sp. gr. 1.384). This will cause whatever sulphate of potash may be contained in it to be deposited. The solution should then be left to stand for five or six days, after which it should be poured off, and diluted with water, until its density becomes 15° Baumé (sp. gr. 1,116). Caustic lime should then be added in the proportion of one-fourth of the weight of the original quantity of carbonate employed. It should then be poured off from the carbonate of lime formed, heated and mixed with the solution of nitrate of soda, as above described. The precise proportions that the caustic alkali should bear to the nitrate of soda, are forty-eight parts of the former to eighty-six parts of the latter. The materials to be used should be tested, so as to enable the just proportions to be arranged according to the formula just given. The patentee states that by this means a nitre is produced which is equal to the Bengal saltpetre, after the latter has gone through the expensive process of refining.

A Stockholm manufacturer says:—“On dissolving nitrate of {278} soda in excess of caustic potash solution, and evaporating to 28° or 32° Baumé (sp. gr. 1.241 or 1.285), the chief part of the saltpetre crystallizes, contaminated by the magnesia which is precipitated, and a small quantity of carbonate of lime. In order to obtain the whole of the saltpetre, the solution must be concentrated to 45° or 50° Baumé (sp. gr. 1.453 or 1.530). Here however, a difficulty arises; the cast iron crystallizing vessels are not impermeable to the liquor, which, whatever the thickness of the vessels, oozes through them, thus occasioning great loss. The saltpetre which still remains in solution after crystallization in the caustic solution at 30° Baumé (sp. gr. 1.263), cannot be collected, and if it be employed in the manufacture of soap, this will be found to contain so large a proportion of saltpetre, that it deliquesces and falls to pieces in a few days.”

“A method employed in the Russian manufactories is first to dissolve the fine pearlash, and the nitrate of soda in the relative proportions of water required for their mutual decomposition, or rather with an excess of potash in such a quantity of water that the resulting product remains dissolved at 50° Reaumur. The solution is then allowed to settle, whereby the carbonates of lime and magnesia are deposited, after which the liquor is run off into wooden crystallizing vessels. As soon as the temperature is lower than 50° Reaumur, the principal part of the nitrate of potash crystallizes. The crystallization must now be very attentively watched, for as soon as the soda begins also to crystallize, the mother-liquors should be run off into other vessels, where a small quantity of nitrate of potash will crystallize, though the principal part will be soda. The nitrate of potash and the soda must then be purified by new crystallizations. The salts formed from the mother-liquors must be redissolved with the nitrate of potash or the soda, according to which of the two most predominates.”

Messrs. Crane and Jullion patented in 1848 the following method of manufacturing the nitrates of potash and soda:—The oxides of nitrogen evolved in the process of manufacturing oxalic acid, are mixed with oxygen gas or atmospheric air, and {279} made to pass slowly through a chamber or other apparatus containing an alkali placed on trays (similar to the lime in a dry lime purifier), the mixed gases combine with the alkali, forming a nitrate of potash or soda, whichever alkali may have been employed.

De Sussex’s process for the manufacture of nitrate of potash is as follows:—A solution is made of 166 pounds of nitrate of lead, and another of 76 pounds of chloride of potassium. The two solutions are then mixed, when double decomposition takes place, chloride of lead being precipitated, and nitrate of potash obtained in solution. In order to avoid the presence of lead in the nitrate of potash, a small portion of caustic or carbonated lime or magnesia is added, by which means any portion of the chloride of lead remaining in solution is precipitated. The solution of nitrate of potash is then evaporated and crystallized.

Nitrate of soda is obtained in the same way, by substituting sixty-six pounds of chloride of sodium for the chloride of potassium above mentioned.—_Pharmaceutical Journal and Transactions, July 1, 1852._

ON TINCTURE OF OPIUM.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Antwerp has employed a commission composed of its members to determine the best menstruum for the preparation of tincture of opium. It has arrived at the following results:―

1. Good opium gives, when treated with water, less extract than bad or adulterated.

2. By warm digestion, a stronger solution is obtained than by cold infusion.

3. Alcohol must be preferred to wine in the preparation of tincture of opium.

4. Narcotine, although alone insoluble in water, becomes partially extracted with the other ingredients of opium. When it is advisable to avoid the removal of narcotine, proceed {280} as follows:—Treat carefully prepared aqueous extract of opium with, boiling alcohol; this dissolves out the narcotine and morphine, from which solution, when cold, the narcotine separates.

After the precipitation, whatever ingredients are necessary to form the tincture are to be added to the alcoholic solution.

By this opportunity, the commission recommend another process by which morphine may be more readily separated from narcotine. One part of the opium is to be treated with four parts of alcohol. After the alcohol has been separated by filtration, the residue is again to be macerated with three parts of alcohol. The resulting tinctures, after being mixed, are to be set aside for twenty-four hours to allow the narcotine to separate; afterwards the morphine is to be precipitated with ammonia. To remove the last traces of morphine, the fluid, from which the precipitated morphine has been filtered, is to be kept in a warm place for two days, a little water having been previously added, when a fresh quantity of morphine will fall down. By this method, 1/12 of the weight of the opium employed, can be obtained as morphine.—_Annals of Pharmacy and Practical Chemistry._

PREPARATION OF PROPYLAMINE FROM ERGOTINE.

BY DR. F. L. WINCKLER.

The readers of the _New Repertory for Pharmacy_, part i., p. 22 already know that I have been for some time occupied with the investigation of ergot, and that I obtained, by the distillation of ergotine with potash, besides ammonia, a substance having a very unpleasant odor, which conducted itself as a volatile alkali, and possessed a narcotic and highly diuretic property. This confirmation of a result which I had obtained some years before, induced me to continue my experiments, and I have now arrived at the conviction that the volatile alkali {281} which is extracted from ergotine by distillation with potash is propylamine (N H‗{2} C‗{6} H‗{7}, or N H‗{3} C‗{6} H‗{6}) consequently the same which, according to the most recent experiments, is proved to be the product of decomposition of narcotine by potash, and the ingredient of herring-pickle. The smell itself made me imagine, long before I was acquainted with Wertheim’s experiments, that herring-pickle must likewise contain propylamine, and my experiments have fully confirmed this supposition, for in distilling herring-pickle with potash I obtained the same propylamine as that extracted from a concentrated aqueous solution of ergotine. The properties in which they agree are the following:―

1. Propylamine saturates acids completely, and thus forms salts soluble in water, and for the most part in spirit of wine, with the exception of sulphate of propylamine, which does not dissolve in the latter. Beautiful white crystals may, however, be produced from the concentrated aqueous solution by the admixture of alcohol of eighty per cent. of strength. The salts of propylamine dissolved in water and treated with tannic acid produce a white (flocculent) precipitate; with chloride of mercury likewise, a white but pulverulent precipitate; with nitrate of silver a white (flocculent) precipitate; and with chloride of platinum a yellow precipitate (a crystalline powder). The salts of propylamine have a strong odor of fresh ergot, much less of herring-pickle, and are easily decomposed by potash.

2. The concentrated aqueous solution being mixed with a fourth of its volume of tincture of iodine, a considerable dark yellowish-brown sediment is precipitated, and the supernatant fluid appears dark brownish-red. But in a very short time this sediment diminishes considerably, the fluid gradually changes color, so that in about twelve hours’ time there will be left but very little orange-colored sediment, whilst the fluid itself will appear almost colorless. Immediately after the addition of iodine the very disagreeable odor of propylamine disappears, and the mixture acquires the odor of iodine.

3. When the neutral aqueous solution of sulphate of {282} propylamine is evaporated in a water-bath it exhales a very disagreeable odor of herring, the solution becomes very acid, has only a weak odor of ergot, and all the re-actions cease. If this concentrated solution be digested with caustic lime in a still, there comes over, without the aid of artificial heat, almost pure propylamine, which has the odor of an ammoniacal liquid, and produces all the re-actions of pure propylamine.

Now the propylamine of ergot presents the very same results, and it is on this account that until lately, it has always been mistaken for ammonia. I am convinced that it constitutes the odorous principle of urine, perspiration, and in the blood, and is often the cause of the odor which we observe in the action of alkaline leys upon nitrogenous compounds. Propylamine belongs to the organic bases, and may be considered as the adjunct [_Paarling_] of ammonia. I think I am justified in concluding, from the results of my experiments, that propylamine, _combined with an acid_, pre-exists in ergot as well as in herring-pickle, and is not produced by the potash, as is the case with narcotine. I have previously demonstrated the presence of formic acid in ergot, and it is with that acid that the propylamine seems to be united. I have not yet made any experiments with herring-pickle.

It will now be difficult to determine whether the medicinal activity of ergot depends on propylamine or not, for the neutral salts of propylamine dissolved in water are easily absorbed, and I hope to be able to induce physicians to make pharmacological and therapeutical experiments.

I have reasons to suppose that propylamine is likewise an ingredient of cod-liver oil, and being easily combined with iodine, it may soon be ascertained by practical application whether it ought not to be considered as the bearer (_träger_) of iodine. I propose to begin the necessary experiments in this respect as soon as my apparatus is entirely free from the odor of propylamine, in order to avoid all error.

Finally, I had the idea of trying an experiment with regard to propylamine upon my own urine, which I made after a {283} supper consisting of roast veal, potato-salad, and a glass of water, and which was neither acid nor alkaline. I poured three ounces of the urine, fresh made and still quite warm, upon four ounces of burned lime, and submitted it to distillation. The distilled product had indeed the odor of pure propylamine, and re-acted strongly alkaline; but acted in a remarkable manner on tincture of iodine in the same way as liquid ammonia. After having neutralized it with sulphuric acid, the liquid showed when tested with tannic acid and nitrate of silver, an unmistakable proportion of propylamine. Might this be formed out of the urea? My experiment confirms, at all events, the opinion stated above; the beginning is made, and I may now pass from experiment to scientific deductions.

_Remarks by Dr. Buchner_:—My friend, Dr. Winckler, in communicating the above paper, very agreeably surprised me by transmitting at the same time specimens of his preparation of propylamine, and that too in quantities varying from one to two drachms, for which I hereby beg to express to him publicly my best thanks. I received from him, namely:―

1. The rough product of distillation of herring-pickle.

2. The aqueous solution of the sulphate produced from it.

3. The pure crystallized, and by spirit of wine, precipitated sulphate of propylamine.

4. The concentrated solution of pure propylamine.

5. The aqueous solution of the sulphate prepared with No. 4.

Hitherto I have only experimented with the preparations No. 2, 4 and 5, in order to verify and complete the statements of the above paper. All these solutions are quite colorless and clear, like water; they diffuse already at some distance a strong odor of herring; but the pure aqueous propylamine, when smelt at closely, has a pungent odor, very similar to that of liquid ammonia, which, however, at a distance, assumes, as it has been said, the smell of herring. This odor is so peculiarly characteristic, that I do not doubt, that even in water-closets, in consequence of fermentation, propylamine is developed, particularly as woollen clothes easily acquire there the odor of {284} herring. All the conditions at least necessary for the formation of propylamine ammonia, and carbo-hydrogen, are to be found in water-closets. In a small close room its odor becomes insupportable, and affects strongly the head. Dr. Winckler, had therefore, good reasons to warn me against it. A young chemist, upon whose hand I dropped a very minute quantity of aqueous propylamine, for the purpose of ascertaining its taste, notwithstanding that he had been walking after that a considerable distance, and had been exposed to the air, smelt still, after some hours, so strongly of herring, that happening to to enter a company, he was spoken to about it by several persons. I mention this merely as a caution. The taste of pure aqueous propylamine is pungently alkaline, and hardly distinguishable from that of caustic ammonia.

The chemical re-actions of propylamine are well explained by Winckler. Turmeric paper turns brown with it, but being exposed to the air, in which propylamine quickly evaporates, it resumes again its primitive yellow color.

Sulphate of propylamine (No. 3,) appears in small splendid white prisms, exposed to the air it evolves a distinct smell of herring, and has a pungent saline taste, like sulphate of ammonia; it is entirely neutral, and when moistened with water, it does not alter the color either of blue or red litmus-paper, or of turmeric-paper.

We have in solutions of silver and iodine, which are not precipitated by ammonia, very appropriate re-agents for distinguishing propylamine from ammonia. Propylamine, however, treated with sulphate of silver, gave me not a white, but a yellowish-brown precipitate; and this result suggested to me the idea, that formiate of propylamine might be present. This precipitate was easily and perfectly dissolved in caustic liquid ammonia. With an aqueous solution of iodine I acquired at one time, according to the quantitative proportion a brown, and at another time a beautiful yellow precipitate, which dissolved in an excess of iodide of potassium. I usually employ an aqueous solution of iodine in iodide of potassium {285} instead of the tincture of iodine made with spirit of wine. The precipitate produced by iodide of potassium is, as I have just stated, either brown or yellow, provided that no excess of iodide of potassium be employed.—_Buchner’s Neues Repertorium_, Bd. 1.

EDITORIAL.

We had intended once more to call the attention of our readers to the approaching meeting of the National Convention, but have been anticipated by one of our colleagues in the communication which is subjoined, giving an account of both its origin and its objects. It is to be hoped that, as the convention will probably assume a permanent organization, its proceedings will take on a scientific character. Independent of the subjects which pharmacy, every where, presents, such a body would be a fit one to assist in ascertaining and developing the resources of our indigenous materia medica. Our country is rich in medicinal articles, but the properties of many of them are but imperfectly known, and comparatively little attention has been paid to their pharmaceutical preparation. Inquiries of this kind, carried on with the aid of physicians, particularly of those attached to hospitals, could not fail to produce important results, and they seem peculiarly adapted to the wants of the community and to the position of the convention.

THE NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL CONVENTION.

The second meeting of Pharmaceutists, the first as a National Convention, to which the Convention of Delegates from the several Colleges of Pharmacy, held in New York last October, may be considered the preliminary movement, will take place in Philadelphia, on Wednesday the 6th of October ensuing. The convention of last fall was held chiefly for the purpose of considering the important subject of standards of quality and purity which imported drugs ought to possess in order to regulate and render uniform the character required of them by the government Inspectors, at the various ports of entry in the United States. Unofficially and officially the duty of affixing standards for imported drugs was, with propriety, assigned to the Colleges of Pharmacy. For this object they were called in convention for that time only, and permanent organization was not then anticipated. But on the meeting of the Colleges, and their united action upon the one subject of such general importance, it was a natural consequence that a spontaneous and general feeling should arise in favor of the establishment of a National Pharmaceutical Organization, with an Annual Convention for the {286} advancement of science and for the promotion of intercourse and good will among pharmaceutists generally. Accordingly the preamble and resolutions brought forward by the committee, subsequent to their report on the special business of that convention and its action upon it, were received with hearty favor. We think it would be well to recapitulate them:

“WHEREAS, The advancement of the true interests of the great body of Pharmacutical practitioners in all sections of our country is a subject worthy of earnest consideration; and whereas Pharmaceutists, in their intercourse among themselves, with physicians and the public, should be governed by a code of ethics calculated to elevate the standard and improve the practice of their art; and whereas, the means of a regular pharmaceutical education should be offered to the rising Pharmaceutists by the establishment of Schools of Pharmacy in suitable locations; and whereas, it is greatly to be desired that the united action of the profession should be directed to the accomplishment of these objects; therefore,

_Resolved_, That in the opinion of this Convention, much good will result from a more extended intercourse between the Pharmaceutists of the several sections of the Union, by which their customs and practice may be assimilated; that Pharmaceutists would promote their individual interests and advance their professional standing by forming associations for mutual protection, and the education of their assistants, when such associations have become sufficiently matured; and that, in view of these important ends, it is further

_Resolved_, That a Convention be called, consisting of three delegates each from incorporated and unincorporated Pharmaceutical Societies, to meet at Philadelphia, on the first Wednesday in October, 1852, when all the importent questions bearing on the profession may be considered, and measures adopted for the organization of a National Association, to meet every year.

In accordance with these resolutions, it was resolved that the President of the Convention be requested to transmit an invitation to the authorized bodies, at least three months previous to the time of meeting, desiring such bodies to acquaint him with the names of the delegates they may appoint.

On motion, it was resolved that the New York Delegation be appointed a Committee to lay the proceedings of this Convention before the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, and afterwards have them published in pamphlet form.

Dr. Philbrick of Boston, offered the following preamble and resolution, which were adopted:

WHEREAS, To secure the full benefits of the prohibition of sophisticated drugs and chemicals from abroad, it is necessary to prevent home adulteration; therefore,

_Resolved_, That this Convention recommend to the several Colleges to adopt such measures as in their respective states may be best calculated to secure that object.

On motion of Mr. Colcord of Boston, it was

_Resolved_, That a committee of three be appointed by this Convention to act as a Standing Committee to collect and receive such information as may be valuable, {287} and memorials and suggestions from any Medical and Pharmaceutical Associations, to be presented at the next Convention.

The President appointed G. D. Coggeshall of New York, S. M. Colcord of Boston, and W. Procter, Jr., of Philadelphia, as the Committee.

A vote of thanks to the officers was passed, and then the Convention adjourned, to meet in Philadelphia, on the first Wednesday in October, 1852.”

We hope that the considerations embraced in the preamble and resolutions of the committee will engage the thoughtful and earnest attention of every apothecary every where throughout the United States, who has a just sense of the proper dignity of his profession and an honest desire for its advancement, and that all will feel the importance of a general gathering at the approaching convention,—one that shall comprise a full representation of remote as well as adjacent districts of our extended country. In the words of the resolution, “three delegates, each, from incorporated and unincorporated pharmaceutical societies,” are invited, but a feeling has been increasingly manifested since the last convention, to solicit representation from all districts, small as well as large, that in places where but few apothecaries are located—too few as they may think for efficient organization,—they should yet feel their individual responsibility, and be encouraged to depute one or more of their number to represent them. All, who come in the right spirit of regard for the cause, may be sure of being welcome.—A National Pharmaceutical Association will undoubtedly be organized on a similar plan to that of the medical profession, and in it individuals may be admitted to membership that are acceptable as worthy practioners of their art.

The convention will have many subjects of general interest to discuss and to arrange for future consideration. Prominent amongst these will be, a Code of Ethics which should govern pharmaceutists in the performance of their duties, and in their intercourse with each other and with physicians; the importance of general conformity in practice with the United States Pharmacopœia; the suppression of _home_ as well as the exclusion of _foreign_ adulteration; and the driving out of quackery into its own mean company. That all these ends can at once be attained is scarcely to be hoped for; but we trust the convention will be composed of men who appreciate the distinctness of the honorable practice of our profession from all malpractice and quackery, and who are fully disposed to mark the division clearly and broadly; so that persons governed by such opposite principles may take their separate places, and be esteemed accordingly.

We are authorized by Dr. Guthrie, who, since the Convention of 1851, has removed to Memphis, Tennessee, to request that the names of delegates may be reported to Prof. William Procter, Philadelphia,—a convenient arrangement, as Mr. Procter is one of the delegates to the next Convention, residing in the city where it is to be held.

We would also invite the attention of Pharmaceutists to the resolution introduced by Mr. Colcord, of Boston, and hope that any suggestions they may wish to offer, will be presented at an early day to one of the committee appointed, to rceive them.

{288}

POISONING BY ADULTERATED CIDER.

A number of cases of lead poisoning, two of which terminated fatally, have lately occurred at Paris, which have been traced to the use of cider, clarified by a mixture of acetate of lead and carbonate of potassa. The history of this matter shows the efficacy of the French law regarding the use of poisonous substances, and the rigor with which it is enforced:―

Several manufacturers, were accused of having sold cider adulterated and containing substances injurious to health; others in addition to this, of having caused various internal injuries to different individuals, and one M. Henon, further of having thus caused the death of two individuals.

One of the witnesses testified, that he had purchased cider at the establishment of the defendant, that some days after drinking it he had been attacked with colic, and constant tremblings; by the advice of his physician, he sent a quantity of the suspected cider to the prefect of police for analysis. A number of other witnesses who had been poisoned, made statements to the same effect.

M. Chevallier deposed, that he had received a letter from the prefect of the police, enclosing one from the physician of the plaintiff, who stated that a number of his patients had been rendered ill by the use of this cider; that he had, in consequence of this, inspected the various establishments in which the manufacture of cider was carried on, and that he has ascertained the presence of lead in the cider obtained at establishments of the accused.

Several physicians testified, that the symptoms under which their patients (the witnesses) had labored, were due to lead poisoning.

M. Dubail, a _Pharmacien_, testified that he had furnished M. Henon, (one of the accused), with a mixture of acetate of lead and carbonate of potassa, which M. H. stated, that by the advice of one of his clerks, he intended to use in the clarification of cider. That he had cautioned M. H. regarding its employment, and had furnished him with a re-agent for the purpose of detecting any lead which might not be precipitated in the cider thus clarified.

The trial was commenced on the 9th of May, continued upon the 11th, and judgment rendered on the 18th.

Henon, the use of whose cider had caused two deaths, was condemned to 18 months imprisonment and to pay a fine of 800 francs; a second, to 8 months imprisonment and a fine of 500 francs; a third, to 6 months imprisonment and 500 francs; while a fourth party, accused only of selling adulterated cider, but to the employment of which no injury had been traced, was imprisoned 3 months and fined 100 francs. M. Henon was condemned to pay 24,050 francs in addition as damages; another of the accused, the sum of 1500 francs.

Truly, if the Prince President has been rather free in the employment of lead in the streets of Paris, the government takes good care that its citizens shall not be poisoned by it with impunity.

ERRATUM.—In the July No. page 224, article announcing delegates to the Convention for 1852, fourth line, for Monday read _Wednesday_.

{289}

NEW YORK

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY.

OCTOBER, 1852.

UNITED STATES CUSTOMS.

NEW YORK, September 25, 1852.

MR. GEORGE D. COGGESHALL.

_Dear Sir_,—Your kind and courteous favor of the 16th instant, on behalf of the Publishing Committee of the New York Journal of Pharmacy, asking “information respecting the character of imported drugs and medicines coming under my supervision; and also, information in reference to the general working and effect of the drug law of 1848,” has been before me for several days, waiting such response, in the shape of a full and lengthy communication in detail, as it was my wish to furnish; but pressing and increasing official duties compel me, from want of time (not material), to forego that pleasure and confine myself to a brief statement of facts and data, which, together with some general observations, I am in hopes may, nevertheless, be found interesting to your readers.

As an evidence of the beneficial effects of the wise sanitary measure, in the success of which, we have all taken so much interest, I am pleased to say that the character and quality of the more important articles of drugs, medicines and chemical preparations, connected with medicine at present presented for entry from abroad, is greatly improved, and of a far higher standard of strength and purity than formerly; notwithstanding, as will be seen, I still have occasion to apply the “veto power”—a labor of love, which must, of necessity, be {290} performed in order to arrest the unhallowed strides of deception and fraud which will ever be practised, to a greater or less extent, as long as we have those among us, engaged in any department of the drug trade, who, to put money in their purse, would endanger, if not sacrifice the lives of their fellow men. The law in question has now been in operation at this port something more than four years; and, with the exception of some eleven months, the duties and responsibilities of its administration have devolved upon me. On the 21st day of April, 1849, I made a report to the New York Academy of Medicine, on the practical operation of this law, and stated therein the more important articles of drugs and medicines, with the quantities annexed, rejected by me up to that date; but as that report is doubtless familiar to most of your readers, I have not deemed it necessary to repeat them here. The following are the more important articles, with the quantities annexed, that I have since rejected and condemned as not of the requisite strength and purity to be safely and properly used for medicinal purposes, viz:―

Senna, 31,838 lbs. Jalap root, 37,121 lbs. Rhubarb root, 5,782 lbs. Sarsaparilla, 65,374 lbs. Mezereon bark, 1,353 lbs. Opium, 3,164 lbs. Kino, 230 lbs. Scammony, 1,483 lbs. Aloes, 12,375 lbs. Squills, 1,626 lbs. Spurious Peruvian bark, 304,135 lbs. Spanish Saffron, 360 lbs. Ergot, 475 lbs. Chamomile flowers, 1,896 lbs. Assafœtida, 3,700 lbs. Worm seed, 230 lbs. Colchicum seed, 2,246 lbs. {291} Valerian root, 650 lbs. Guaiacum, 9,300 lbs. Cream of Tartar, 7,673 lbs. Magnesia (carb.), 2,867 lbs. Magnesia (calc’d.), 1,560 lbs. Althea root, 1,117 lbs. Liquorice root, 9,430 lbs. Bistort root, 140 lbs. Gentian root, 7,572 lbs. Gentian root, in powder, 430 lbs. Lavender flowers, 3,042 lbs. Poppy flowers, 190 lbs. Hellebore root (white), 460 lbs. Pareira Brava root, 730 lbs. Cantharides, 1,276 lbs. Creosote, 140 ozs. Bromine, 430 ozs. Sulphate of Quinine, 3,200 ozs. Iodine, 6,864 ozs. Hydriodate of Potass, 3,720 ozs.

Making altogether some five hundred and twenty thousand pounds, to say nothing of various articles in small quantities rejected from time to time, which I have not considered of sufficient importance to note down. This, together with the ninety thousand pounds previously rejected, as stated in an early report above alluded to, makes some six hundred and ten thousand pounds of various articles of drugs and medicines condemned by me as unfit for medicinal purposes since the law took effect at this port. What articles and in what quantities, were rejected during the eleven months that I was absent from the office, I am not advised, neither am I at this time able to say what has been done under the requirements of this act at the other ports of entry. I hope, however, that the special examiners can give a good account of their stewardship, and that they will not hesitate to do so, whenever the information is desirable as a means of pushing on the column of medical and pharmaceutical reform. {292}

It will be seen by the above statement, that by far the largest quantity of any one article rejected, is that of spurious Peruvian bark, or as it is generally known in commerce, Carthagena and Maracaibo bark; and that too, as a general thing of the poorest and most worthless quality. The best of this bark affords on analysis only an exceedingly small percentage of quinine, not unfrequently, but a mere trace; while, at the same time, it yields as high as two, and occasionally with choice samples, two and a half per cent of a _peculiar_ alkaloid which has been named _quinidine_, in contra-distinction to quinine, cinchonine, and aricine, (the three alkaloids heretofore obtained from the different varieties of the cinchona tribe of plants,) from which it differs essentially in several respects.

What _is quinidine, medicinally understood_? How does _sulphate_ of quinidine _compare with sulphate of quinine_ (from which it is very difficult to distinguish it by the naked eye,) medicinally, as a remedial agent in cases where the use of the latter salt is particularly indicated? These are important questions, and the subject is one very properly at the present time calling for prompt, patient, and persevering investigation by all those whose mission it is to prepare, dispense or prescribe the most efficient means wherewith to combat disease; the more so for the reason, that I have detected in most of the sulphate of quinine lately imported from abroad, more or less of this non-officinal, and (in my opinion) as compared with quinine, non-efficient substance yclept quinidine; a fact readily accounted for, when it is known that for the last year or two immense quantities of the bark in question, good, bad, and indifferent, have been exported from New Grenada, (as well as much from this port that had been rejected) and purchased by foreign manufacturing chemists, for the purpose, as I have reason to believe, of mixing it with the _true_ bark in the manufacture of sulphate of quinine; hence the hybrid salt now too frequently presented to entry; a practice that, if not speedily abandoned, will ruin as far as this country is concerned, the formerly well deserved reputation of more than one of the {293} foreign manufacturers of sulphate of quinine I could name. The argument maintained by some of them that the article is used in their hospitals and found equal to pure quinine, will not answer on this side of the water; it smacks too much of the almighty dollar, even as I must believe (until further advised) at the expense of truth.

This comparatively inert substance, quinidine, is readily detected by using the method adopted by Zimmer, and published in the March number of the Pharmaceutical Journal (London), and, as I was happy to see, transfered to the columns of the May number of your valuable Journal. It is a test so perfect, so scientifically practical, and so simple withal, that any one possessing only a moderate share of chemical and analytical acumen can successfully apply it, even though perchance he may not be able to boast of wearing the mantle of the departed Berzelins, or of having been a favorite pupil of Liebig.

The law went into operation at this port on the 12th day of July, 1848, and it is worthy of remark, as a cause of gratulation, on the part of the early friends of the measure, that the importation of inferior and worthless qualities of many important drugs and medicines, has since gradually and greatly decreased in quantity. For instance, I rejected during the first seven months of the working of the law 19,989 pounds of Rhubarb root; but I have since rejected only 5,782 pounds, being but a fraction over one third of the quantity. For the past eighteen months, I have not had occasion to reject a single pound. I rejected during the first nine months 3,347 pounds of opium; but have since, during a period of more than two years and a half of my administration of the law, as will be seen by the above statement, rejected only 3,164 pounds. For the past thirteen months I have rejected only nine hundred and fifty two pounds, while I have passed during that period not less than 70,000 pounds. During the first two months of the operation of the law, I rejected 1,414 pounds of gamboge, but have since met with that only which I was ready {294} to pass without any hesitation. During the first nine months I rejected 2,977 pounds of gum myrrh, but all that has since been presented to entry at this port, I have found satisfactory. Thus might I continue, but time and space will not permit. Enough I opine, has been said and shown to satisfy even the most prejudiced and sceptical opponent of this wise measure, that if faithfully and judiciously administered, _and seconded with becoming zeal and honesty of purpose by the medical profession, the pharmaceutist and dispensing apothecary_, it is calculated and destined to effect most beneficial and lasting sanitary reforms throughout the length and breadth of our vast and glorious land. In a word, the law has operated thus far remarkably well considering the hasty manner in which it was framed and passed through Congress. It is, in some respects imperfect, as must ever be the case with all new measures of legislation until their utility is tested by practical operation; but these imperfections were, some time since, brought to the attention of the Secretary of the Treasury, who, with his accustomed promptitude soon after instructed me to report to the Department such manifestations and suggestions as my experience in the administration of the law should dictate as most desirable, practicable, and judicious; and, notwithstanding this important and responsible trust has necessarily been made the subject of the few occasional leisure moments I could from time to time command, apart from other official duties, it is nearly completed, and, in a manner too, as I have reason to believe, that will render the law, when amended as proposed, satisfactory to all honorable dealers, importers, owners, and consignees, and, at the same time do away with the not unreasonable objections entertained by our marine insurance companies; while its efficiency instead of being in any manner impaired by the amendments, will be more perfectly guarded and essentially strengthened. The particulars and details connected with this duty I must defer until another time; but I must be permitted before closing this communication to say, that to the present able and distinguished {295} head of the Treasury Department, Hon. Thomas Corwin, is due a debt of gratitude, from all true friends of this important measure, not easily cancelled. Soon after he was called to take upon himself the responsibilities of one of the most important, and by far the most arduous offices under the general government, the downward and fatal tendency of a maladministration of the law was brought to his notice; when, rising _above all minor considerations_, he rescued it from impending danger, and placed it upon what he deemed a safe basis; and has since, on all occasions, lent a willing ear to every suggestion calculated to render it more perfect, to add to its efficiency, or perpetuate its usefulness. A noble example truly, and one well worthy of the man.

To conclude, I beg to say, that although I have not the honor of belonging to any Pharmaceutical Association, I nevertheless take great interest in everything calculated to advance the good cause and noble calling in which you have so long been engaged; and, I hope the day is not far distant, when every city and town of importance throughout this wide extended country, will be favored with an organization of the kind, radiating from a _National_ Pharmaceutical Association as a common center. It would be of vast benefit to the community at large, as well as eminently useful to the medical profession; for as all must admit, it is of the most vital importance to the success of the physician, that his remedial agents are properly prepared by a well-bred and perfectly educated chemist and pharmaceutist; and, I may add my conviction, that medical and pharmaceutical chemistry, a part of medical education that has thus far been most unpardonably neglected, should be universally and efficiently taught in our Schools of Medicine.

I am, dear Sir, Very respectfully, your obd’t. serv’t., M. J. BAILEY, M. D.,

Special Examiner of Drugs, Medicines, Chemical Medicinal Preparations, &c.

{296}

ON THE USE OF COAL GAS AS A SOURCE OF HEAT FOR THE LABORATORY.

BY EDWARD N. KENT.

Having recently fitted up a new laboratory in which I have introduced coal gas as a source of heat, I have thought a description of the apparatus and manner of using it, would be interesting to chemists and pharmaceutists, as it has not been very generally applied to this purpose as yet in this country, although in England, where alcohol is dear, it has long been used as a substitute.

In the use of coal gas as a source of heat, the principal difficulty to be avoided, is its tendency to smoke; this I have accomplished in a variety of ways. The ordinary argand gas burner, fixed permanently upon a branch pipe passing up through the table, is one of the cheapest, and a convenient arrangement for many purposes, and to prevent smoke, a tall glass chimney, or a short sheet iron chimney, with every other hole in the burner plugged, so as to make separate and distinct jets for the air to pass through, is all that is necessary. A tripod or sheet iron cylinder, for supporting vessels over the flame, is an indispensable addition to this burner. There is one objection to this form of apparatus, which is, that it is _fixed_, and cannot be moved about like a lamp. To avoid this inconvenience, I have had a number of burners constructed in different ways, and connected with flexible tubes, so as to admit of a change of position, to any place within the length of the tube.

Figure 1, is a gas burner designed as a substitute for the Rose Lamp, and when connected to the gas pipe by means of a flexible tube, answers every purpose of that excellent lamp without being liable to the danger of catching fire, or to the necessity of replenishing during an operation, as is the case with most alcohol lamps. The above arrangement consists of an ordinary argand gas burner, with every other hole plugged, fixed to an arm with a socket and {297} thumb screw, by means of which it can be raised to any height on the rod attached to a moveable wooden foot. The lower part of the burner is provided with a screw to which the flexible tube is attached, by means of a Hare’s gallows screw connector. The other end of the flexible tube should be provided with a stopcock, at its union with the fixed gas pipes for regulating the supply of the gas. Above the burner is a moveable ring, with socket and thumb screw, for supporting retorts, flasks, etc., at any desired height. A glass chimney is represented in the figure, but this may be replaced with a short sheet iron chimney, when part of the holes in the burner have been plugged as before mentioned. The above burner is well adapted for use with the wire gauze chimney, as the moveable ring with the addition of a wire tripod, answers as a support for a platina crucible. To insure a perfect combustion of the mixture of gas and air, I find that the sheet iron cylinder should be about ten inches high and two inches diameter. Over such a cylinder, with the upper end covered with wire gauze, it is an easy matter to fuse carbonate of soda, or other substance requiring a bright red heat. When the combustion is perfect with the above cylinder, the flame is of a pale blueish white color, like that of a solid flame from alcohol but much hotter. With the addition of a small conical chimney of sheet iron, placed over the mixed gas-burner, so as to bring the blue flame to a smaller compass, I find it a very convenient and powerful flame for bending glass tubes, by which tubes of any diameter, or the neck of a retort, may be easily softened and bent.

Figure 2, is an argand burner, with every other hole plugged, attached to a heavy brass foot, and with an arm and stopcock, to which a long flexible tube is attached, the other end of which is connected to a pendant above the table. This burner is well adapted for use on any part of the table, and may be used with an ordinary retort {298} stand, or with a sheet iron cylinder, for supporting vessels over the flame. It has all the conveniences without the disadvantages of a Berzelius’ Lamp, as it requires no wicks or replenishing, and cannot take fire; and the stopcock is not liable to get out of order, as is the case with the rack and pinion of the alcoholic lamp.

Figure 3, is a large burner, six inches in diameter, with the holes placed far enough apart to form distinct jets of the burning gas, by which means smoke is entirely prevented without the use of any chimney. This burner, like the preceding, is attached to a heavy brass foot, and with an arm and stopcock, to which a long flexible tube is attached, by means of which it can be moved to any part of the table.

This burner is provided with a large sheet iron cylinder, (figure 4) with air holes at the top and bottom, a slit at the side, to go over the arm of the burner, and a door in front for convenience in lighting the gas, and thus forms a powerful and convenient gas furnace, by means of which a gallon of water can be easily boiled. With this arrangement the confined heat is so great, that it is necessary to protect the table from burning, by means of sheet iron, or other suitable material.

In point of economy, coal gas is cheaper than alcohol for fuel, even in America where the latter is so cheap, and the price of gas is comparatively high; and, it is to be hoped, that the price of the latter will be reduced, so that coal gas may yet be used with economy, as a source of heat for domestic as well as for chemical and pharmaceutical purposes. The present price should be no detriment to its free use, as it is, {299} undoubtedly, the most cleanly and convenient fuel which can be used in the laboratory; and, as such, I would strongly recommend it to those, for whom the above description has been prepared.

NOTE UPON CICUTA (CONIUM MACULATUM) AND CONICINE.

Since Stoerck, who first extolled the virtues of Hemlock, this plant has undergone numerous alterations of credit and neglect which may be explained by the want of certainty, or rather by the irregularity, of its action.

An important work has just appeared on this subject, executed conjointly by a physician and pharmacien of Lyons, MM. Devay and Guillermond. This work, which developes and completes what has been said upon the medicinal virtues of hemlock, furnishes a new element which will fix, we believe, the therapeutic value of that substance. It is the substitution of the seed like fruits for the other parts of the plant. We will briefly explain the motive of that preference.

The principle to which cicuta owes both its toxicological and therapeutic powers has received the names of cicuta, coneine and conicine, the last of which is now generally adopted. It is a volatile alkaloid, of a sharp penetrating, disagreeable smell, somewhat like that of mice. It is of an oily consistence, and easily decomposed by heat. In these respects it resembles nicotine. But, a characteristic readily recognized and which distinguishes it from the latter, when shaken with water it again floats upon the surface, while nicotine is immediately dissolved by that liquid.

The volatility of conicine, the readiness with which it is {300} decomposed by heat or time alone, are such that the Lyonese experimenters do not hesitate to propose the abandonment both of the herb itself, and of all the pharmaceutic forms prepared by the aid of heat, or in which the conicine is susceptible of undergoing decomposition. We think this is going rather too far. The extracts of cicuta prepared with care, and particularly those prepared in vacuo, are of daily service. We have been able to verify by trituration with potassa, the presence of conicine in a hydro-alcoholic extract, a number of years old. But, notwithstanding, recognizing the fact that the preparations of cicuta of this kind are often inert, we agree with the experimenters that it is of consequence to escape from such a state of things.

The tincture of cicuta prepared with the fresh plant, is a very beautiful product, but made from parts of the plant containing but a small proportion of conicine, or at all events containing it in very variable proportions, may be inert or irregular in its action. What then is to be done? employ conicine itself? But the preparation of the alkaloid is difficult; it is promptly decomposed by contact with the air and light, and the apportionment of its dose, offers serious inconveniences.

There is a organ of the plant in which its active principle is found in larger and more constant proportion, and under conditions in which it is better preserved than in any other; that organ is the fruit. It is at the moment of its most perfect development, when the plant commences to flower, that it contains the largest proportion of conicine, and that the principle is most perfectly elaborated. At a later period it disappears and is fixed in the fruit, in which it is concentrated in great quantity. It is in the fruit that we seek it when we wish to extract it. It is in the fruit we should seek it for medical use.

PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS. FORMULÆ.—“Having shown by experiment as well as by reasoning, that the fruit of the cicuta (akène) should henceforth replace all the preparations of the plant employed in medicine: we have to make known the use we have made of this fact. It is important in the first {301} place, that the fruit employed should be that of the great cicuta, and that it should not be mingled with seeds of the other umbelliferæ. They may be known by being almost globular with five crenelated sides.

When the fruit is divided, the sides fold in the form of a crescent. They do not possess like most of the other umbelliferæ, a peculiar aromatic odor. This appears to be covered by that of conicine. The fool’s parsley, (_æthusa cynapium_,) the phellandrium aquaticum, the anise, bear fruits which, physically, have much resemblance to that of the cicuta; but, when the latter is pulverized, the characteristic odor which is developed is sufficient to enable us readily to recognize it. Another precaution to be taken is in relation to the time at which the fruit should be collected. Those which were employed in our experiments and preparations had reached the perfection of their maturity. It is then it should be collected for medical use, because then it is isolated, so to speak, from the plant which produces it; the active principle exists then in them in a true state of concentration and permanence.

1st. FORMULÆ FOR INTERNAL USE.—“The fruit of the cicuta does not need any complicated pharmaceutic preparation. It is active enough of itself to be employed in its natural condition. A very simple manipulation only seems necessary to facilitate its use. It is to reduce it to powder and to form it into pills, which, coated with sugar, may be preserved an indefinite time. We have thought best to give the pills two degrees of strength according to the following formulæ.

“_Pills of Cicuta, No. 1._—Take one gramme of the fruit of the cicuta recently pulverized; make with a sufficient quantity of sugar and of syrup a mass, to be divided into 100 pills. These are to be covered with sugar; each pill will weigh about 10 centigrammes. These are suited to persons who are not yet habituated to the use of the drug, and who are of a delicate constitution. We commence with two pills the first day, and the dose is augmented day by day to 10, 15, or 20. It is then most convenient to employ pills No. 2. {302}

_Pills No. 2._—Take 5 grammes of the recently powdered fruit of the cicuta; incorporate them with a sufficient quantity of gum and sugar; divide as before into 100 pills, which are to be enveloped with sugar, each pill will weigh about 25 centigrammes.

“We will finish the series of internal medicines by the formula of a syrup of conicine, which will be of the greatest utility to practitioners.

“Exhaust 10 grammes of the fruit of the cicuta, with alcohol at 28° C. (82 F.) so as to obtain 60 grammes, to which 3000 grammes of syrup, aromatised, _ad libitum_, are to be added.

“Thirty grammes of this syrup represent 1 decigramme of the fruit or a milligramme of conicine. A teaspoonful being the equivalent of 30 grammes of syrup, the patient who takes one pill of No. 2. will be able to take half a teaspoonful of the syrup.

FORMULA FOR EXTERNAL USE.—_Balm of Conicine._—The process which we employ to prepare the balm of conicine authorizes us to give it that name. It is in effect, a true solution in lard freed from the principles which retain it in combination, and as pure as the processes we have proposed for its extraction will permit. Thus, after having exhausted the fruit by alcohol, and after having separated as completely as possible the conicine by means of ether and caustic potash, confining ourselves to the precautions indicated below, we take: the ether of cicuta, obtained by the exhaustion of 100 grammes of the fruit, and 300 grammes of recently washed lard. We begin by evaporating the ether in the open air, that is, by pouring it little by little in a plate, and as soon as the greater part of it has been eliminated, and the conicine commences to appear upon the plate in the form of little yellow drops, separating themselves from the vehicle, the lard is to be incorporated with it by degrees, the whole being constantly stirred to facilitate the evaporation of the ether. A balm of conicine is thus obtained, exceedingly active and convenient for use. {303}

The following is the mode of preparing the ether of cicuta: “The alcoholic tincture obtained by the complete exhaustion of 100 grammes of the fruit, is to be evaporated to the consistence of a syrup, and the alcohol is to be replaced by a small quantity of water. This leaves undissolved a thick green oil, entirely soluble in ether, and of which the quantity reaches the weight of 30 grammes. After having separated this green oil, we wash with ether the product of the alcoholic evaporation and obtain a yellowish resinous substance, which has no action on litmus paper and which has a strong odor, _sui generis_, different from that of conicine.

After having submitted the mother waters of the alcoholic extract to this preliminary treatment, we have introduced them into a flask having a capacity three times as great as their volume, and treated them successively with a concentrated solution of caustic potash and rectified sulphuric ether. Immediately after the addition of the potash, a well marked odor of conicine was manifest in the mixture, and the ether became strongly alkaline. We left the same ether, (about 20 grammes) upon the mixture for twelve hours, often agitating it. It was then decanted and replaced by fresh ether, and this was replaced until the ether became nearly insensible to litmus paper. We remarked that the first 20 grammes of ether took up nearly all the alkaloid. One hundred grammes of well rectified ether was sufficient to remove almost completely the alkaloid from the extractive and alkaline mixture derived from 100 grammes of the fruit of the cicuta.

SOLUTION OF CONICINE FOR INJECTIONS.

Tincture of the fruit, 100 grammes. Lime water, 900 grammes.

Filter at the end of a few minutes.

“In this preparation we have thought best to employ lime water instead of simple water. We have remarked previously that the tincture of cicuta possessed no smell of conicine, but when lime water was added, the odor was instantly developed in a high dagree. The conicine is disengaged by the lime {304} from its saline combination, and remains free, dissolved in the water.”

MM. Devay and Guillermond, who, in their work, have been so just in their deductions, fail here, we think, in denominating syrup, injection, &c., of conicine, the various preparations of the fruits of the cicuta. It is only perhaps a matter of form, but it is important to avoid in materia medica a matter of form which may give rise to a false idea of things, which may in a word, induce error.

We have only occupied ourselves with the pharmacological part of the work of MM. Devay and Guillermond. The Bulletin de Therapeutique will soon offer an appreciation of its therapeutical portion.—_Dorvault._—_Bulletin de Therapeutique._

[The facts on which the preference of the seeds of conium to the preparations in ordinary use are founded, are by no means new. They have been long known and frequently commented on. From six lbs. of the fresh and nine of the dried fruit, Geiger obtained an ounce of conia, or, as the French chemists prefer to call it, conicine; while from 100 lbs. of the fresh herb, he procured only a drachm. The fresh dried herb exhibited only traces of it. The extract prepared from the herb partakes necessarily of its uncertainty and inactivity. Most of what is found in the shop is entirely inert; while the best, that of Tilden or of Currie, which are superior to the best English extract we have seen, possess comparatively little power. If conium is to be retained in the materia media, it is evident that we should employ that part of the plant in which the active principle is contained in the greatest quantity, and in a condition least liable to alteration. We are as yet, however, very imperfectly acquainted with the properties, either medicinal or poisonous of conium; and, as the continuation of the memoir of MM. Devay and Guillermond promises us a solution of the question, we await it with much interest.]—ED. NEW YORK JOURNAL OF PHARMACY.

{305}

ON THE MANUFACTURE OF WRITING INKS.

In the manufacture of good writing ink, more nicety is required in the choice of materials, as well as greater skill in manipulation, than is generally bestowed upon it.

The proportion of the various ingredients used is a matter of considerable importance, affecting in a great degree the durability of the ink.

DR. LEWIS’S WRITING INK.—Dr. Lewis, who instituted a series of very careful experiments on the manufacture of writing ink, found that equal parts of sulphate of iron and of galls gave an ink, which, although of a good color when first used, became yellowish-brown when the writing was kept for a moderate length of time, and that in proportion to the quantity of the sulphate, the inks were less durable in color, and that those in which the galls were in excess, were most durable.

He, therefore, recommended the following proportions as best suited for the manufacture of good writing ink:—Powdered sulphate of iron, 1 oz.; powdered logwood, 1 oz.; powdered galls, 3 oz.; gum arabic, 1 oz.; white wine or vinegar, 1 quart.

Water will answer for common purposes, but white wine formed a blacker ink than water, and vinegar formed one still blacker than wine. The addition of spirit injured the color, and occasioned a precipitation of coloring matter—a decoction of logwood, instead of water, improved both the beauty and deepness of the black. The ingredients are to be put in a glass or other convenient vessel, not metallic, and the mixture shaken four or five times a day. In ten or twelve days it will be fit for use, and sooner if in a warm situation; but it continues for a long time to improve if left without decantation. When it is separated from the powdery residue, it will be kept in a good state with greater certainty, if some broken galls freed from the powder and some pieces of iron are put into it. Iron, however, is the only metal which it is safe to retain in contact with the ink.

Dr. Lewis gave the preference to distilled or rain water in {306} the manufacture of ink, but it seems probable that a water containing a certain proportion of carbonate of lime is more suitable. In dyeing a black color by means of galls or sumach and copperas, hard spring water is preferred by some dyers. To produce in a liquid a given depth of color, distilled water requires more dyestuff than common spring water. This is illustrated in the following experiment, devised by Mr. Phillips: into two glass jars of the same size, each half-filled with distilled water, introduce equal quantities of infusion or tincture of galls or sumach, and an equal number of drops (only three or four) of a solution of copperas; a faint purplish color will be developed in both jars, but if one is filled with spring water, the color in that rapidly becomes dark reddish-black, and one-half more water is required to reduce it to the same shade of color as the other. The water which is found by experience to be best adapted for dyeing with galls and sulphate of iron, differs from distilled water in containing sulphate of lime, carbonate of lime held in solution by free carbonic acid, and chloride of calcium. The beneficial ingredient seems to be the carbonate of lime, which possesses slight alkaline properties, for if the smallest quantity of ammonia or of bicarbonate of potash is added to the distilled water in the above experiments, the purple color is struck as rapidly and as deeply as in the spring water; chloride of calcium and sulphate of lime, on the contrary, produce no sensible change either in the depth of color or the tint. The effect is no doubt referable to the action of the alkali or lime on the proto-sulphate of iron, by which the sulphuric acid of the latter is withdrawn, and hydrated protoxide of iron set free, for protoxide of iron is much more easily peroxidized and acted upon by tannic and gallic acids (the dyeing principles of galls) when in the free and hydrated state, than when in combination with sulphuric acid. Neither the caustic fixed alkalies (potash and soda) nor their carbonates can be well introduced in the above experiments, as the slightest excess reacts on the purple color, converting it into a reddish-brown. Ammonia, lime-water, and the alkaline {307} bicarbonates also produce a reddening, and if applied in considerable quantity a brownish tinge. It is very probable that the above-mentioned principle is applicable to the preparation of writing ink.

RIBANCOURT’S WRITING INK.—M. Ribancourt, who paid much attention to the preparation of inks, stated that none of the ingredients should be in excess. “If there be a want of the matter of galls, part of the vitriol will not be decomposed; if, on the contrary, there be too much, the vitriol will take as much as it can decompose, and the remainder will be nearly in the state of the decoction of galls, subject to change by becoming mouldy, or to undergo an alteration after writing which destroys its legibility much more completely than the change undergone by ink containing too small a portion of the galls.

“It is doubtful whether the principles of the galls are well extracted by cold maceration, and it is certain that inks made in this way flow pale from the pen, and are not of so deep a black as those wherein strong boiling is recurred to.”

From all the foregoing considertions, M. Ribancourt gives the following directions for the composition of good ink:―

“Take 8 oz. of Aleppo galls (in coarse powder); 4 oz. of logwood (in thin chips); 4 oz. of vitriol of iron; 3 oz. of gum arabic (in powder); 1 oz. of vitriol of copper; and 1 oz. of sugar-candy. Boil the galls and logwood together in 12 lb of water for one hour, or till half the liquid has evaporated. Strain the decoction through a hair sieve or linen cloth, and then add the other ingredients. Stir the mixture till the whole is dissolved (more especially the gum), after which leave it to subside for twenty-four hours. Then decant the ink, and preserve it in bottles of glass or stoneware well corked.” The sulphate of copper must be omitted in the preparation of an ink required for steel pens.

DR. BOSTOCK’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF INK.—A few years since, Dr. Bostock presented to the Society of Arts the following, valuable communication “On the Properties of Writing Inks,” which will be read with interest. {308}

“When the sulphate of iron and the infusion of galls are added together, for the purpose of forming ink, we may presume that the metallic salt or oxide enters into combination with at least four proximate vegetable principles, viz: gallic acid, tan, mucilage, and extractive matter, all of which appear to enter into the composition of the soluble part of the gall-nut. It has been generally supposed that two of these, the gallic acid and the tan, are more especially necessary to the constitution of ink; and hence it is considered, by our best systematic writers, to be essentially a tannogallate of iron. It has been also supposed that the peroxide of iron alone possesses the property of forming the black compound which constitutes ink, and that the substance of ink is rather mechanically suspended in the fluid than dissolved in it.

“Ink, as it is usually prepared, is disposed to undergo certain changes, which considerably impair its value; of these, the three following are the most important:—Its tendency to moulding; the liability of the black matter to separate from the fluid, the ink then becoming what is termed ropy; and loss of color, the black first changing to brown, and at length almost entirely disappearing.

“Besides these, there are objects of minor importance to be attended to in the formation of ink. Its consistence should be such as to enable it to flow easily from the pen, without, on the one hand, its being so liquid as to blur the paper, or on the other, so adhesive as to clog the pen and be long in drying. The shade of color is not to be disregarded; a black approaching to blue is more agreeable to the eye than browner ink; and a degree of lustre or glossiness, if compatible with due consistence of the fluid, tends to render the characters more legible and beautiful.

“With respect to the chemical constitution of ink, I may remark that, although as usually prepared it is a combination of the metallic salt or oxide with all the four vegetable principles mentioned above, yet I am induced to believe that the last three of them, so far from being essential, are the principal {309} cause of the difficulty that we meet with in the formation of a perfect and durable ink.

“I endeavored to prove this point by a series of experiments, of which the following is a brief extract.

“Having prepared a cold infusion of galls, I allowed a portion of it to remain exposed to the atmosphere, in a shallow capsule, Until it was covered with a thick stratum of mould, the mould was removed by filtration, and the proper proportion of sulphate of iron being added to the clear fluid, a compound was formed of a deep black color, which showed no further tendency to mould, and which remained for a long time without experiencing any further alteration. Another portion of the same infusion of galls had solution of isinglass added to it, until it no longer produced a precipitate; by employing the sulphate of iron, a black compound was produced, which, although paler than that formed from the entire fluid, appeared to be a perfect and durable ink.

“Lastly, a portion of the infusion of galls, was kept for some time at the boiling temperature, by which means a part of its contents became insoluble; this was removed by filtration, when, by addition of sulphate of iron, a very perfect and durable ink was produced.

“In the above three processes, I conceive that a considerable part of the mucilage, of the tan, and the extract, were respectively removed from the infusion, whilst the greatest part of the gallic acid would be left in solution.

“The three causes of deterioration in ink, the moulding, the precipitation of black matter, and loss of color, as they are distinct operations, so we may presume that they depend on the operation of different proximate principles.

“It is probable that the moulding more particularly depends ©n the mucilage, and the precipitation on the extract, from the property, which extractive matter possesses of forming insoluble compounds with metallic oxides.

“As to the operation of the tan, from its affinity for metallic salt we may conjecture that, in the first instance, it forms a {310} triple compound with the gallic acid and the iron, and that in consequence of the decomposition of the tan, this compound is afterwards destroyed. Owing to the difficulty, if not impossibility, of entirely depriving the infusion of galls of any one of its ingredients without in some degree affecting the others, I was not able to obtain any results which can be regarded as decisive; but the general result of my experiments favors the above opinion, and leads me to conclude that, in proportion as ink consists merely of the gallate of iron it is less liable to decomposition or to experience any kind of change. The experiments to which I have alluded above, consisted in forming a standard solution by macerating the powder of galls in five times its weight of water, and comparing this with other infusions, which had either been suffered to mould, from which the tan had been extracted by jelly, or which had been kept for some time at the boiling temperature, and by adding to each of these respectively both the recent solution of the sulphate of iron, and a solution which had been exposed for some time to the atmosphere.

“The nature of the black compound produced was examined, by putting portions of it into cylindrical jars and observing the changes which they experienced with respect either to the formation of mould, the deposition of their contents, or any change of color. The fluids were also compared by dropping portions of them upon white tissue paper, in which way both their color and their consistence might be minutely ascertained. A third method was to add together the respective infusions, and the solutions of the sulphate of iron, in a very diluted state, by which I was enabled to form a more correct comparison of the quantity and of the shade of the coloring matter, and of the degree of its solubility.

“The practical conclusions which I think myself warranted in drawing from these experiments are as follows:—In order to procure an ink which may be little disposed either to mould or to deposit its contents, and which at the same time may possess a deep black color not liable to fade, the galls should be {311} macerated for some hours in hot water, and the fluid filtered; it should then be exposed for about fourteen days to a warm atmosphere, when any mould which may have been produced must be removed. A solution of sulphate of iron is to be employed which has been exposed for some time to the atmosphere, and which consequently contains a certain quantity of the red oxide diffused through it. I should recommend the infusion of galls to be made of considerably greater strength than is generally directed, and I believe that an ink formed in this manner will not necessarily require the addition of any mucilaginous substance to render it of a proper consistence.

“I have only farther to add, that one of the best substances for diluting ink, if it be in the first instance too thick for use, or afterwards become so by evaporation, is a strong decoction of coffee, which appears in no respect to promote the decomposition of the ink, while it improves its color and gives it an additional lustre.”

Dr. Ure recommends the following formula for the manufacture of writing ink. To make twelve gallons take: 12lb of nutgalls; 5lb of green sulphate of iron; 5lb of gum Senegal; 12 gallons of water. The bruised nutgalls are to be put into a cylindrical copper, of a depth equal to its diameter, and boiled during three hours, with three-fourths of the above quantity of water, taking care to add fresh water to replace what is lost by evaporation. The decoction is to be emptied into a tub, allowed to settle, and the clear liquor being drawn off, the lees are to be drained. The gum is to be dissolved in a small quantity of hot water, and the mucilage thus formed, being filtered, it is added to the clear decoction. The sulphate of iron must likewise be separately dissolved and well mixed with the above. The color darkens by degrees, in consequence of the peroxidizement of the iron, on exposing the ink to the action of the air.

But ink affords a more durable writing when used in the pale state, because its particles are then finer and penetrate the paper more intimately. When ink consists chiefly of tannate {312} of peroxide of iron, however black, it is merely superficial, and is easily erased or effaced. Therefore, whenever the liquid made by the above prescription has acquired a moderately deep tint, it should be drawn off clear into bottles and well corked up. Some ink-makers allow it to mould a little in the casks before bottling, and suppose that it will thereby be not so liable to become mouldy in the bottles. A few bruised cloves or other aromatic perfume, added to ink, is said to prevent the formation of mouldiness, which is produced by the ova of infusoria animalcules.

The ink made by this prescription is much more rich and powerful than many of the inks commonly sold. To bring it to the common standard a half more water may safely be added. Even twenty gallons of tolerable ink may be made from the above weight of materials.

SCOTT’S WRITING INK.—Mr. Scott’s method of manufacturing writing ink, as patented by him in 1840, is as follows:—Take 48lb of logwood chips, and let them be saturated two days in soft water, then put the same into a close covered iron cauldron, and add 80 gallons of soft water; let these be boiled one hour and a half, when the wood must be taken out and the fluid left, to which add 48lb of the best picked Aleppo galls in coarse powder; boil these half an hour longer, then draw off the fire, and let it remain in the cauldron twenty-four hours infusing, during which it is to be very frequently agitated; when the properties of the galls are sufficiently extracted, draw off the clear fluid into a vat, and add 40lb of pulverized sulphate of iron; let these ingredients remain a week (stirring daily), after which add four gallons of vinegar. Next take 7 1/2lb of the best picked gum arabic, and dissolve it in sufficient water to form a good mucilage, which must be well strained, and then added to the fluid by degrees; let these stand a few days longer, when pour into the same 20 ounces of the concentrated nitrate of iron; let the whole stand by again until it has arrived at its height of blackness; next pour the clear fluid off from the sediment, and add to it the following substances, each prepared and ground separately:― {313}

First, take half a pound of Spanish indigo, which grind very fine between a muller and stone, adding by degrees portions of the ink until it is made into an easy soluble paste; next take well-washed and purified Prussian blue five pounds, which prepare as the former, except grinding it in distilled water in lieu of the fluid, until it is formed into a soluble paste; also next take four ounces of gas black which results from the smoke of gas burners received on surfaces of glass, as is well known, which grind in one ounce of the nitrate of iron; when each is sufficiently fine, let them remain a few hours unmixed, when the whole may be incorporated with the fluid, and kept agitated daily for a week. The clear may then be poured off for use. The above will make eighty gallons of ink.

DR. NORMANDY’S BLACK INK.—In order to supersede the use of nutgalls, Dr. Normandy patented the following process for making black ink:―

Take either sumach, elm wood, elder, chestnut, beech, willow, oak, plum, sycamore, cherry, poplar wood, catechu, or any other wood or berry, or extract of vegetable substances, containing gallic acid and tannin, or either, and put this, previously reduced to powder, into a copper full of common water, and boil it until a sufficiently strong decoction be obtained.

The quantity of water must of course vary according to the sort of vegetable substance employed; catechu, for example, requiring less water than sumach, on account of the former being almost totally soluble. To this add a certain quantity of Campeachy wood, of acetate and hydrate of deutoxide of copper, of sulphate of alumina and potash, of sulphate of protoxide of iron, in quantities which vary also according to the vegetable material first employed, and gum arabic, or the best sort of gum Senegal, in the proportion of eighty pounds or thereabouts for 340 gallons of liquid; also a variable quantity of sulphate of indigo; the whole of these last ingredients, depending on the shade of the color intended to be produced, it is impossible to indicate absolutely the proportions in which they are to be used, as the taste and fancy of the operator must {314} decide. Supposing, however, a blue black to be the color desired, and sumach, for example, the vegetable ingredient selected for the purpose, the proportions should be for 240 gallons: sumach, from 12 to 15 sacks, of four bushels each; Campeachy logwood, 2 cwt. or thereabouts, according as new or old chip is used; gum arabic, 80 lb. to 1 cwt.; sulphate of protoxide of iron, 1 cwt.; acetate and hydrate of deutoxide of copper, 4lb; sulphate of alumina and potash, 37lb; sulphate of indigo, 6lb, or even more, according to the intensity of the blue cast desired. If catechu were to be used instead of sumach, 1 cwt. would be required, the proportions of the other materials remaining the same.

The variously colored precipitates which salts of iron form in the solutions of the above-cited vegetable astringent substances, all of which precipitates vary from the green to the brown (the decoction of nutgalls yeilding with salts of iron only a dark purple,) are the obstacles which have hitherto prevented the use of these vegetable substances, with a view to supersede nutgalls; but by means of the sulphate of indigo in various proportions, from the above-cited substances a liquid may be obtained, of different shades of color, from dark blue to most intense black, applicable to dyeing, staining, or writing, and which may be used with every description of pen.

DR. NORMANDY’S PURPLE INK.—To produce a purple-colored ink called the “King of Purples,” Dr. Normandy recommends the following proportions to be observed:—To twelve pounds of Campeachy wood add as many gallons of boiling water; pour the solution through a funnel with a strainer made of coarse flannel, on one pound of hydrate or acetate of deutoxide of copper finely pulverized (at the bottom of the funnel a piece of sponge is placed), then add immediately 14lbs. of sulphate of alumina and potash, and for every 340 gallons of liquid add eighty pounds of gum arabic or gum Senegal. Let these remain for three or four days, and a beautiful purple color will be produced.

DR. NORMANDY’S BLUE INK.—Dr. Normandy’s blue ink is made by operating upon Chinese blue or cyanoferruret of {315} iron. The cyanoferruret of iron is to be ground in water with oxalic acid or bin-oxalate of potash, adding gum arabic in the following proportions: to seven ounces of water add three drachms of Chinese blue, 1 drachm of bin-oxalate of potash, and 1 drachm of gum arabic; to these ingredients a solution of tin may be added.

GIROND’S SUBSTITUTE FOR GALLS.—The substitute for gallnuts, patented by M. Girond, of Lyons, in 1825, is an extract from the shell of the chestnut, and also from the wood and sap of the chestnut-tree. The extract is denominated _Damajavag_, and the mode of preparing it is by reducing the chestnut-shell into small pieces, and boiling them in water.

One hundred-weight of the shells of chestnuts broken into small pieces is to be immersed in about 180 or 200 quarts of water, in a vessel of copper or any other material, except iron, and after having been allowed to soak in this water for about 12 hours, the material is then to be boiled for about three hours, in order to obtain the extract. The wood of the chestnut tree may be cut into small pieces or shaved thin, and treated in the same way.

The extract is now to be drawn off from the boiler, and filtered through a fine sieve or cloth, after which the water must be evaporated from it until the extract is reduced to the consistence of paste.

It may now be cut into cakes of any convenient size, and dried in an oven of low temperature, and when hard, may be packed for sale, and used for any of the purposes in the arts to which gallnuts have been heretofore applied. The quantity of damajavag obtained from the above will be about 8 or 10 lbs.

In using this damajavag, it is only necessary to pound or otherwise reduce it to powder when it may be mixed with other ingredients as pulverized gall nuts.

The same chemical properties belong to the sap of the chestnut-tree, which may be extracted by tapping the trunk, and when so obtained, may be used for the same purpose as gallnuts.

STEPHENS’ BLUE INK.—Stephens’ blue ink is prepared as follows:—Take Prussian blue, whether produced from a combination of prussiate of potash and salts of iron, or the Prussian {316} blue of commerce, as commonly manufactured, and put this into an earthen vessel, and pour over it a quantity of strong acid, sufficient to cover the Prussian blue. Muriatic acid, sulphuric acid, or any other acid which has a sufficient action upon iron will do. If sulphuric acid is used it should be diluted a little, that is, with a quantity of water equal to about its bulk. The Prussian blue is allowed to remain in the acid from twenty-four to forty-eight hours or longer, and then the mixture is diluted with a large quantity of water, stirring it up at the time, for the purpose of washing from it the salts of iron. When in this state of dilution, it is allowed to stand until the color has subsided, when the supernatant liquor is drawn off with a syphon and more water added to it. This process is repeated until the acid, with the iron, has been completely washed away, which is known by testing it with prussiate of potash, which will show if it yields any blue precipitate; if not, it is sufficiently washed. The product is then placed upon a filter, and suffered to remain until the liquid has all drained away.

The Prussian blue, thus prepared, is reduced to a state containing less iron than the Prussian blue of commerce, in which state it is more readily acted upon, and rendered soluble than in any other condition.

This Prussian blue may then be placed in evaporating dishes, and gently dried. To form the Prussian blue, so operated upon, into a solution, oxalic acid is added, and carefully mixed with it, after which cold water is added (cold distilled water is best) a little at a time, making it into a dense or dilute solution, according to the color required. The quantity of oxalic acid may vary according to the quantity of water used. It will be found that the Prussian blue that has undergone the process of digestion, as described, requires but a small quantity of oxalic acid to dissolve it: about one part of oxalic acid will dissolve six parts of Prussian blue, the weight taken before digesting in the acid. This will answer for a concentrated solution, but for a dilute solution more acid will be required.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

{317}

VARIA—EDITORIAL.

QUINIDINE.—Sulphate of quinidine is advertised, “eo nomine,” for sale in the London Journals. What we get, as yet, occurs only as an adulteration of the sulphate of quinine. The same virtues, and to an equal extent, are ascribed by the advertisers to the new article, that are possessed by quinine. We do not know what authority there is for this statement, but it is exceedingly desirable that careful and well conducted experiments should be made to determine the properties and relative value of quinidine, quinoidine, and cinchonine. The great importance of quinine and its immense and constantly increasing consumption, long ago created a well founded anxiety lest the sources whence we obtain it should become exhausted or materially diminished. If the allied alkaloids will in any degree replace it, it is a fact of the highest value. Quinidine, in particular, is contained in some varieties of bark in which little or no quinine is found, and if the statements which have been made of the identity of its effects with quinine, probably without any better foundation than the closeness of resemblance of the two substances, should prove correct, the destruction of the cinchona Calisaya which is going on, may be in some measure stayed.

EXTRACT OF BARK.—A new article has appeared in our markets under the name of Extract of Bark. The specimen that came under our observation was a dark brown substance, homogenous, and about the consistence of dry opium. It was very little soluble in water, much more so in alcohol, and completely so in diluted sulphuric acid. From chemical examination it would appear to contain about 46 per cent of quinine, with perhaps traces of quinidine and cinchonine. At the price at which we hear it is offered it will be sought for by the manufacturers of sulphate of quinine.

SYRUP OF TURPENTINE.—M. Trousseau often uses the syrup of turpentine in chronic catarrh of the bladder and the lungs, in old copious suppurations, etc., but as the standard works contain no formula, the preparation intended is not always obtained. {318}

The following is the formula which has been published by M. Dorvault, according to the indications furnished by M. Trousseau, as being at once the most rational, and as furnishing a product preferable in all respects to that of the two formulæ given in the officine.

Turpentine,[24] 100 grammes. Water, 375 grammes.

Digest during two days, taking care to agitate frequently; afterwards make a syrup after the manner of the balsam of Tolu, by adding

White sugar, 750 grammes.

This syrup contains besides the resinous principles, the nature of which is not well ascertained, from 1-40 to 1-100 of its weight of the essence of Turpentine.

It is limpid, of an aromatic odor—very sweet, and of an agreeable taste; it may be employed pure, or used to sweeten appropriate drinks.

Dose: from one to a number of tablespoonsful per day.—_Bulletin de Therap._

[24] The turpentine recommended by M. Dorvault is a variety of the Strasburg turpentine, having an agreeable odor of lemon.

ALOINE.—Our readers will recollect that Dr. Pereira has found Aloine, the chrystalline neutral principle recently discovered in Barbadoes aloes, by Mr. Smith of Edinburgh, in Socotorine aloe juice, (New York Journal of Pharmacy, No. 6, p. 177.) Since then Mr. Smith has succeeded in procuring it from Socotorine aloes. It was much longer in crystallizing than when obtained from Barbadoes aloes, but did so at last. When the impure product is recrystallized from rectified spirits it presents the same appearance as the purified crystal of Barbadoes aloes (the crystals obtained by Dr. Pereira which were spontaneously deposited from the juice, were much smaller) and seems identical with that substance. It has not yet been obtained from Cape aloes, but undoubtedly exists in that substance, though probably from its inferior activity in much smaller quantity.

Aloine has been introduced into the practice of medicine in Edinburgh, and the Messrs. Smith have already (June) sold a quarter of a hundred weight of it. It is five times more active than good aloes—a single grain producing all the effect of a large aloetic pill; the Edinburgh physicians describe it as acting “_tuto, cito, et jucunde_,” safely, speedily, and pleasantly. If this is meant altogether seriously, in the second of the characteristics it presents a marked contrast with the crude drug. From the convenience with which it may be exhibited, it bids fair to come into general and extensive use.

_Action of Sulphuric Acid on the insoluble residue left by Opium, exhausted by water. Formation of a new Alkaloid, by_ M. STANISLAS MARTIN.—The smallest object added to a kaleidoscope produces new shades and different images; so it is {319} with vegetable chemistry; every practical man knows that a foreign body, an hours delay in executing a work already commenced, changes the nature of the products. Two experiments on the inert residue of opium, exhausted by water give another illustration of this truth.

The residue of opium submitted to fermentation, affords us a substance which has a great analogy to paramorphia; this substance has since been studied by M. A. Guergy. The account of the labor of that chemist has been reproduced in the review of the Journal de Pharmacie, 1849.

Our second operation consists in treating the residue of opium exhausted by water, with water acidulated with sulphuric acid. The result is the formation of an alkali which has many of the chemical properties of narcotine, but which differs from it completely by its insolubility in ether.

This alkali has no relation with codeine or narceine; besides we obtain an extractive matter, soluble in all proportions in water, to which it communicates the property of frothing like soap.

The following is the method of proceeding. The residue of opium, exhausted with water, is boiled in distilled water acidulated with sulphuric acid, after ten minutes ebullition it has the appearance of a thick magma; it is strained with strong expression; when the colature is cold it is filtered through paper.

The colature is highly colored; its odor is similar to that of opium, its taste is exceedingly bitter.

Ammonia is added until litmus paper is no longer altered; the liquid is filtered, the precipitate washed with distilled water, and permitted to dry; afterwards it is boiled with a sufficient quantity of rectified alcohol and again filtered. The alcoholic solution deposits on cooling, numerous needle like crystals, colored by a brownish bitter resin. It is purified in the ordinary manner.

What are the therapeutic properties of this alkaloid, of the extractive saponaceous matter, and of the brown bitter resin! Do they partake of the properties of opium? We know not; the physician alone can determine their value.—_Bulletin de Therapeutique._

GELATINIZATION OF THE TINCTURE OF RHATANY.—Mr. Editor,—Some years ago having occasion to prepare some saturated Tincture of Rhatany, about eighteen, ounces were put aside in a glass stoppered bottle. The tincture being examined but a short time since, was found to be gelatinized, as is generally the case with old tincture of kino. Having never seen such a change before, I sought information, and ascertained through the United States Dispensatory that a French Pharmaceutist in Paris has remarked the same phenomenon, What is the cause of this remarkable change, attended as it is, with the loss of astringency? Is it not, perhaps, caused by the same action which produces peculiar exudation from the bark of certain trees possessed of tannin, retaining it for a {320} while and afterwards, when cut up in logs, losing their tanning properties and exuding a species of ulmine? Is it not the same process which takes place in the decomposition of the kino and rhatany? But why is catechu exempt from such a decomposition? If you can enlighten me, and especially can explain how to prevent this change, you will much oblige myself and numerous readers.

LIST OF DELEGATES TO THE CONVENTION.—On the Sixth of this month the National Convention will meet in Philadelphia, and we see that our Philadelphia friends, with a reference to the convenience of the Delegates, have fixed upon 4 o’clock in the afternoon as the hour for assembling. The meeting will be held in the Hall of the College of Pharmacy, in Zane Street, above Seventh, which has been placed at the disposal of the Convention. As far as heard from, the following is a list of Delegates:―

_Philadelphia College of Pharmacy_, DANIEL B. SMITH, CHARLES ELLIS, WILLIAM PROCTER, JR.,

_Massachusetts College of Pharmacy_, JOSEPH BURNETT, SAMUEL COLCORD, SAMUEL R. PHILBRICK,

_Richmond Pharmaceutical Society_, ALEXANDER DUVAL, JOHN PURCEL, JOSEPH LAIDLEY,

_Maryland College of Pharmacy_, GEORGE W. ANDREWS, DAVID STEWART, M. D.

_Cincinnatti College of Pharmacy_, WILLIAM B. CHAPMAN, EDWARD S. WAYNE, CHARLES A. SMITH,

_College of Pharmacy of the City of New York_, GEORGE D. COGGESHALL, L. S. HASKELL, JOHN MEAKIM.

{321}

NEW YORK

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY.

NOVEMBER, 1852.

ACCIDENTAL SUBSTITUTION OF EXTRACT OF BELLADONNA FOR EXTRACT OF DANDELION.

PROSECUTION OF THE MANUFACTURER.

In the Court of Appeals,

SAMUEL THOMAS, JR. AND MARY ANN THOMAS, HIS WIFE,

_Against_ HOSEA WINCHESTER.

RUGGLES, _Chief Judge_.

This action was brought to recover damages from the defendant for negligently putting up, labelling and selling as and for the extract of _dandelion_, which is a simple and harmless medicine, a jar of the extract of _belladonna_, which is a deadly poison; by means of which the plaintiff, Mary Ann Thomas, to whom, being sick, a dose of dandelion was prescribed by a physician, and a portion of the contents of the jar was administered as and for the extract of dandelion, was greatly injured, &c.

The facts proved were briefly these: Mrs. Thomas being in ill health, her physician prescribed for her a dose of dandelion. Her husband purchased what was believed to be the medicine prescribed, at the store of Dr. Foord, a physician and druggist in Cazenovia, Madison County, where the plaintiffs reside.

A small quantity of the medicine thus purchased, was administered to Mrs. Thomas, on whom it produced very alarming effects; such as coldness of the surface and extremities, feebleness of circulation, spasms of the muscles, giddiness of the head, dilation of the pupils of the eyes, and derangement of mind. She recovered, however, after some time, from its effects, although, for a short time, her life was thought to be in {322} great danger. The medicine administered was _belladonna_, and not dandelion.

The jar from which it was taken was labelled “_1/2lb. Dandelion, prepared by A. Gilbert, No. 108 John Street, N. Y. Jar 8.02_.” It was sold for, and delivered by Dr. Foord, to be the extract of dandelion as labelled. Dr. Foord purchased the article as the extract of dandelion, from James S. Aspinwall, a druggist at New York. Aspinwall bought it of the defendant as extract of dandelion, believing it to be such.

The defendant was engaged at No. 108 John Street, New York, in the manufacture and sale of certain vegetable extracts for medicinal purposes, and in the purchase and sale of others. The extracts manufactured by him were put up in jars for sale, and those which he purchased, were put up by him in like manner. The jars containing extracts manufactured by himself, and those containing extracts purchased by him from others, were labelled alike. Both were labelled like the jar in question, as “prepared by A. Gilbert.” Gilbert was a person employed by the defendant, at a salary, as an assistant in his business. The jars were labelled in Gilbert’s name because he had been previously engaged in the same business, on his own account, at No. 108 John Street, and probably because Gilbert’s labels rendered the articles more saleable. The extract contained in the jar sold to Aspinwall, and by him to Foord, was not manufactured by the defendant, but was purchased by him from another manufacturer or dealer. The extract of dandelion and the extract of belladonna resemble each other in color, consistence, smell and taste, but may, on careful examination, be distinguished, the one from the other, by those who are well acquainted with these articles. Gilbert’s labels were paid for by Winchester, and used in his business, with his knowledge and assent.

The defendant’s counsel moved for a nonsuit on the following grounds:―

1. That the action could not be sustained, as the defendant was the remote vender of the article in question, and there was {323} no connexion, transaction, or privity between him and the plaintiffs, or either of them.

2. That this action sought to charge the defendant with the consequences of the negligence of Aspinwall and Foord.

3. That the plaintiffs were liable to, and chargeable with the negligence of Aspinwall and Foord, and therefore could not maintain this action.

4. That according to the testimony Foord was chargeable with negligence, and that the plaintiffs therefore could not sustain this suit against the defendant; if they could sustain a suit at all, it would be against Foord only.

5. That this suit, being brought for the benefit of the wife, and alleging her as the meritorious cause of action, cannot be sustained.

6. That there was not sufficient evidence of negligence in the defendant to go to the jury.

The Judge overruled the motion for a nonsuit, and the defendant’s counsel excepted.

The Judge, among other things, charged the jury that if they should find from the evidence that either Aspinwall or Foord were guilty of negligence in vending as and for dandelion the extract taken by Mrs. Thomas, or that the plaintiff Thomas, or those who administered it to Mrs. Thomas, were chargeable with negligence in administering it, the plaintiffs were not entitled to recover; but if they were free from negligence, and if the defendant Winchester was guilty of negligence in putting up and vending the extracts in question, the plaintiffs were entitled to recover, provided the extract administered to Mrs. Thomas was the same which was put up by the defendant and sold by him to Aspinwall, and by Aspinwall to Foord.

That if they should find the defendant liable, the plaintiffs in this action were entitled to recover damages only for the personal injury and suffering of the wife, and not for loss of service, medical treatment, or expense to the husband, and that the recovery should be confined to the actual damages suffered by the wife. {324}

The action was properly brought in the name of the husband and wife, for the personal injury and suffering of the wife, and the case was left to the jury, with the proper directions on that point. _1 Chitty on Pleadings. 62 ed. of 1828._

The case depends on the first point taken by the defendant on his motion for a nonsuit; and the question is whether the defendant, being a remote vender of the medicine, and there being no privity or connexion between him and the plaintiffs, the action can be maintained.

If in labelling a poisonous drug with the name of a harmless medicine for public market, no duty was violated by the defendant, excepting that which he owed to Aspinwall, his immediate vender, in virtue of his contract of sale, this action cannot be maintained. If A build a wagon and sell it to B, who sells it to C, and C hires it to D, who, in consequence of the gross negligence of A in building the wagon, is overturned and injured. D cannot recover damages against A, the builder.—A’s obligation to build the wagon faithfully, arises solely out of his contract with B. The public have nothing to do with it. Misfortune to third persons, not parties to the contract, would not be a natural and necessary consequence of the builder’s negligence; and such negligence is not an act immediately dangerous to human life.

So for the same reason, if a horse be defectively shod by a smith, and a person hiring the horse from the owner is thrown and injured in consequence of the smith’s negligence in shoeing, the smith is not liable for the injury. The smith’s duty in such case grows exclusively out of his contract with the owner of the horse; it was a duty which the smith owed him alone, and to no one else. And, although the injury to the rider may have happened in consequence of the negligence of the smith, the latter was not bound, either by his contract or by any considerations of public policy or safety, to respond for his breach of duty to any one except the person he contracted with.

This was the ground on which the case of _Winterbotham vs. Wright. 10 Mees and Wellsby, 109_, was decided. A {325} contracted with the Post Master General to provide a coach to convey the mail bags along a certain line of road, and B and others also contracted to horse the coach along the same line. B and his co-contractors hired C, who was the plaintiff, to drive the coach. The coach, in consequence of some latent defect, broke down; the plaintiff was thrown from his seat, and lamed. It was held that C could not maintain an action against A for the injury thus sustained. The reason of the decision is best stated by Baron Rolfe. A’s duty to keep the coach in good condition was a duty to the Post Master General, with whom he made his contract, and not a duty to the driver employed by the owners of the horses.

But the case in hand stands on a different ground. The defendant was a dealer in poisonous drugs. Gilbert was his agent in preparing them for market; the death, or great bodily harm of some person was the natural and almost inevitable consequence of the sale of belladonna by means of the false label.—Gilbert, the defendant’s agent, would have been punishable for manslaughter if Mrs. Thomas had died in consequence of taking the falsely labelled medicine. Every man who, by his culpable negligence, causes the death of another, although without intent to kill, is guilty of manslaughter. 2 _R. S._ 662. § 19. A chemist who negligently sells laudanum in a phial labelled as paregoric, and thereby causes the death of a person to whom it is administered, is guilty of manslaughter. _Tessymond’s case, 1 Lewins’ crown cases, 169._ “So highly does the law value human life that it admits of no justification wherever life has been lost, and the carelessness or negligence of one person has contributed to the death of another.” _Regina vs. Swindall, 2 Car. and Kir. 232–3._ And this rule applies not only where the death of one is occasioned by the negligent act of another, but where it is caused by the negligent omission of a duty of that other. _2 Car. and Kir. 368–371._ Although the defendant Winchester may not be answerable, criminally, for the negligence of his agent, there can be no doubt of his liability in a civil action, in which the act of the agent is to be regarded {326} as the act of the principal. In respect to the wrongful and criminal character of the negligence complained of, this case differs widely from those put by the defendant’s counsel. No such imminent danger existed in those cases.

In the present case the sale of the poisonous article was made to a dealer in drugs, and not to a consumer. The injury, therefore, was not likely to fall on him, or on his vendee who was also a dealer; but much more likely to be visited on a remote purchaser, as actually happened. The defendant’s negligence put human life in imminent danger. Can it be said that there was no duty on the part of the defendant to avoid the creation of that danger by the exercise of greater caution. Or, that the exercise of that caution was a duty only to his immediate vendee, whose life was not endangered? The defendant’s duty arose out of the nature of his business, and the danger to others incident to its mismanagement. Nothing but mischief like that which actually happened could have been expected from sending the poison falsely labelled into the market; and the defendant is justly responsible for the propable consequences of the act.

The duty of exercising caution in this respect did not arise out of the defendant’s contract of sale to Aspinwall. The wrong done by the defendant was in putting the poison mislabelled into the hands of Aspinwall, as an article of merchandize to be sold and afterwards used as the extract of _dandelion_ by some person then unknown. The owner of a horse and cart, who leaves them unattended in the street, is liable for any damage which may result from his negligence. _Lynch vs. Mordon, 1 ad. and Ellis, U. S. 29, 5 Car. and Payne 190._ _Illidge vs. Goodwin._ The owner of a loaded gun, who puts it into the hands of a child by whose indiscretion it is discharged, is liable for the damage occasioned by the discharge. _5 Maule and Sel. 198._ The defendant’s contract of sale to Aspinwall does not excuse the wrong done to plaintiffs. It was a part of the means by which the wrong was effected. The plaintiffs injury and their remedy would have stood on the same {327} principle, if the defendant had given the _belladonna_ to Dr. Foord without price; or, if he had put it in his shop without his knowledge, under circumstances which would propably have led to its sale, on the faith of the label.

In _Longmead vs. Holliday, 6 Law and Eq. Rep. 562_, the distinction is recognized between an act of negligence imminently dangerous to the lives of others, and one that is not so. In the former case, the party guilty of the negligence is liable to the party injured, whether there be a contract between them or not; in the latter, the negligent party is liable only to the party with whom he contracted, and on the ground that negligence is a breach of the contract.

The defendant on the trial insisted that Aspinwall and Foord were guilty of negligence in selling the article in question for what it was represented to be in the label; and that the suit if it could be sustained at all, should have been brought against Foord. The judge charged the jury that if they or either of them were guilty of negligence in selling the _belladonna_ for _dandelion_, the verdict must be for the defendant, and left the question of their negligence to the jury, who found on that point for the plaintiff. If the case really depended on the point thus raised, the question was properly left to the jury. But, I think it did not. The defendant by affixing the label to the jar represented its contents to be _dandelion_, and to have been “prepared” by his agent Gilbert. The word “prepared” on the label must be understood to mean that the article was manufactured by him, or that it had passed through some process under his hand, which would give him personal knowledge of its true name and quality. Whether Foord was justified in selling the article upon the faith of the defendant’s label, would have been an open question in an action by the plaintiffs against him; and I wish to be understood as giving no opinion on that point. But it seems to me to be clear, that the defendant cannot in this case set up as a defence that Foord sold the contents of the jar as and for what the defendant represented it to be. The label conveyed the idea distinctly to Foord that the contents of the {328} jar was the extract of _dandelion_, and that the defendant knew it to be such. So far as the defendant is concerned, Foord was under no obligation to test the truth of the representation. The charge of the judge in submitting to the jury the question in relation to the negligence of Foord and Aspinwall, cannot be complained of by the defendant.

Judgment Affirmed.

A Copy. H. R. SELDEN, _State Reporter_.

MEM.—The original verdict against Winchester was $800; the costs of appeal, &c. swelled the amount to near $1,400, which was paid by Winchester.

NOTES IN PHARMACY, No. 5.

BY BENJAMIN CANAVAN.

SUCCI INSPISSATI PER AERE SICCO.—I take occasion again to notice these preparations, for the reason, that I perceive from a note, by the Editor of this Journal, appended to an article on “Cicuta,” &c., in the last (September) number: that he considers the extracts of Messrs. Tilden or Currie, superior to the best English extracts he has seen. I think, however, that on reflection, he will agree with me that those prepared by means of a current of dried air—some of which so made have been imported and used here—must particularly, when there is anything volatile about them,—be superior to all others; indeed, so favorably am I inclined to regard this process, that I think the profession, medical and pharmaceutical, should _demand_ its adoption by those engaged in the business of preparing extracts; until which is the case, I shall feel it incumbent upon me to use the imported article, as I have been in the habit of doing. Moreover, the relative virosity of the _narcotic plants_ of the {329} American and European continents are still in favor of the latter, although, if recent researches are to be depended upon, the difference is not so great as was supposed. Mr. Currie, I believe, prepares some at least, if not all his extracts with imported herbs, and in vacuo, and they are therefore the best made here; but these are the _dried_ herbs, and cannot afford as good an extract, ceteris paribus, as when the fresh plant is used. The English extracts of indigenous plants are, strictly speaking, _inspissated juices_, according to the _London Pharmacopœia_. The juice of a plant inspissated by air alone, and that quickly too, must be tantamount in its properties to the fresh plant whence obtained, so far as we are at present aware, or at least to the same, dried in the same equally safe manner; wherefore, I consider them preferable to all other preparations of the family of Extracts.[25]

[25] Mr. Canavan mistakes—the assertion was that the Extract of Conium, prepared by Tilden or by Currie, was superior to the best English Extract of that article we have seen, and a comparison of the odor of the two articles, under the influence of a little liquor potassae, will readily convince the observer of its correctness. The question as to the other Extracts is one of great interest, and we still believe it awaits a satisfactory solution.—[ED.]

SANGUINARINA.—Having been called upon to prepare some of this article, I undertook to do so by the process said to have been adopted by Mr. Dana, viz.: displacing the root with dilute acetic acid; precipitating by ammonica; boiling with purified animal charcoal; treating with alcohol, and finally evaporating the alcoholic solution, by which I obtained from two ounces of the root, about twenty grains only, having the sensible properties of the article very strongly, and being of a reddish brown color, assuming, when finely pulverized, an ochreish hue. It has been described as a “white, pearly substance,” which it might have become by more perfect discoloration, or the use of a different acid. The liquor from which it was precipitated, lost its peculiar taste, but not all its color, showing that the color of the root does not depend altogether on this principle, as was supposed. The article in question has been used by one practitioner, who stated it to have met his expectations, administered in doses of one sixth of a grain. The preparation in question is a very desirable one, as the objectionable taste of the ordinary preparations is a frequent bar to their use.

ALOINE.—On this subject it may be well to mark the fact, {330} that the officinal “ext. aloe purificat,” presents the active property of the aloes, freed from its griping quality, (though this is doubted; but the same doubt would seem to apply to aloine.) It is, however, about twice the strength of the crude extract, and is generally used when the “tuto cito et jucunde” effect is desired. The change which is supposed to take place in the aloine, from the heat used in the preparation of the purified extract, would only—according to the Messrs. Smith of Edinburg—prevent its crystallization, and therefore the extract should be equally advantageous, except, perhaps, in regard of bulk, which is not a very _great_ object.

ZIMMER TEST FOR QUINIDINE.—In employing this test, some modification of the original directions is necessary, in order to success. The word _drop_ is used, but it is doubtful whether _minim_ may not be meant, and if not, the difference in density of the liquids used would prevent our getting, by dropping, the correct quantities. This I found to be the case, and to save future trouble I give the minutiæ of the experiment as I performed it, with success; no evidence of the presence of quinidine being shown, as was expected:

℞ Aquae gtt. xxiij. Acid. Sulph. C. P. gtt. vi. Aether Sulph. _concentr._ gtt. lx. Aquae Ammonia F. F. F. gtt. xx.

Et agita bene.

In each instance, the drops were allowed to fall from the lip of an ordinary quart tincture bottle, except the sulphuric acid, which was contained in a small pint tincture bottle, and of which I used _three times the number of drops_ directed; the drops being about one third the size of a drop of distilled water, which was shown to be correct, by the necessity for that quantity to effect a solution which took place without the aid of external heat. With regard to this matter of drops, it is a considerable eyesore. I would recommend to apothecaries, (perhaps it might be deemed worthy of the action of the convention), to agree upon some standard _size_ for the {331} drop,—say that of a drop of distilled water, under definite circumstances. It is true, we have a measure; but it is for minims not for drops, whilst in this way, by a little practice, the eye might be accustomed to the proper size of the drop, so that there would be little or no difficulty in obtaining an exact result, by increasing or diminishing the number of drops, according to the proportional size of its drop, to the standard one. Of course, when I speak of “keeping the drop in the eye,” I do not mean to imply anything incompatible with the Maine Liquor Law. I speak aquatically, not _spiritually_.

NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL CONVENTION.

According to the arrangement which had previously been announced, the National Convention met in Philadelphia, on Wednesday the 6th of October, at 4 P. M. In the absence of Dr. Guthrie, the President, the Convention was organized by the appointment of Mr. Coggeshall, of New York, as President _pro tempore_; Mr. A. B. Taylor, of Philadelphia, as acting Secretary. A committee was then appointed by the Chair, consisting of Messrs. Ellis, of Philadelphia, Colcord, of Boston, and Laidley, of Richmond, to examine the credentials of the delegates present; and to report a resolution in regard to the admission of such apothecaries as might be present, who, though not {332} delegated by any incorporated institution, desired to attend the Convention.

The committee reported that satisfactory credentials had been presented by the following gentlemen:―

_From the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy_—Joseph Burnett, Samuel M. Colcord, Dr. Samuel R. Philbrick.

_From the College of Pharmacy, of the City of New York_—George D. Coggeshall, L. S. Haskell, John Meakim.

_From the Richmond Pharmaceutical Society_—Alexander Duvall, John Purcell, Joseph Laidley.

_From the Cincinnatti College of Pharmacy_—William B. Chapman, Charles Augustus Smith, Edward S. Wayne.

_From the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy-_-Daniel B. Smith, Charles Ellis, William Procter, Jr.

_From the Maryland College of Pharmacy_—Dr. David Stewart, George W. Andrews.

Henry F. Fish, of Waterbury, Connecticut, as the representative of the apothecaries and druggists of Hartford county, Connecticut. The following resolution was also offered by the committee:―

_Resolved_, That those gentlemen whose interest in the object of the Convention has induced them to meet with us on this occasion, be invited to take seats in the Convention, and fully participate in its proceedings.

The report and resolutions were adopted, and the committee continued to act on claims of delegates, and others not yet arrived.

After the roll had been called, the following gentlemen were invited to seats in the convention, viz.:―

CHARLES L. BACHE, of San Francisco, California. EUGENE DUPUY, of New York. EDWARD PARRISH and ALFRED B. TAYLOR, Of Philadelphia.

A committee, consisting of one from each delegation, was {333} then chosen to nominate officers for the Convention, and on their nomination, the following gentlemen were duly elected:―

DANIEL B. SMITH, of Philadelphia, PRESIDENT. GEORGE W. ANDREWS, of Baltimore, SAMUEL M. COLCORD, of Boston, C. AUGUSTUS SMITH, of Cincinnati, VICE PRESIDENTS. GEORGE D. COGGESHALL, of New York, RECORDING SECRETARY. WILLIAM PROCTER, JR., of Philadelphia, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

After the officers had taken their seats, the following report was presented by the committee appointed at the Convention, held the previous year at New York, “To act as a standing committee, to collect such information as maybe deemed valuable, together with memorials and suggestions from Medical and Pharmaceutical Associations to be presented to the next Convention.”

“The undersigned, a committee appointed at the Convention, held last year in New York, and instructed “To collect and receive such information as may be valuable, and memorials and suggestions from Medical and Pharmaceutical Associations, to be presented to the next Convention,” respectfully report: That in the period that has elapsed since their appointment—notwithstanding the fact of their readiness to receive any communications, having been duly announced—they have received no contributions towards the end or object of their appointment, except those relating to the inspection of drugs. They have, however, not been unmindful of the duty imposed upon them, and now offer the following suggestions, as tending to aid the business of the Convention, in so far as they exhibit some of the more prominent subjects, worthy of its serious deliberation and action.

1st, The number of pharmaceutists constituting the professional body in the United States is large, comprehends all grades of qualifications, and extends to every city and town in the country. The professed object of the present Convention being to adopt measures calculated to benefit this large body of citizens, in a professional point of view, by showing that there exist many grounds of sympathy between them, notwithstanding the present want of united action; we believe, that the institution of a national association, whose members may come from all sections of the body, is calculated to enlist this feeling of {334} brotherhood, and direct its power, as a reforming force, towards the elevation of the average standard of qualification now existing. In view of this, it is suggested, whether the passage of a resolution by this Convention, resolving itself into a National Association, should not properly engage its attention at its commencement, so that the important details of forming a Constitution—explaining the nature of its organization, &c. &c., might receive the deliberate consideration they merit, before being adopted.

As the basis upon which the Association will rest, will be the decision as to what shall constitute a member, we believe its ultimate usefulness will very much depend on the character of this decision, and we cannot refrain from presenting some reflections on the subject.

The inefficiency or inadequacy of the present basis, viz.:—Delegates from incorporated and unincorporated societies is here demonstrated, by the small number who have been appointed in answer to the call; at least, this must be true, so long as the process of local organization is so dilatory. The aim should be, to enlist as much as possible of the talent now engaged in the pharmaceutical ranks.

We think, therefore, that membership in the proposed association should be of a representative character, to as full an extent as practicable. Colleges and societies of pharmacy should, of course, send delegates. Then, provision should be made for the apothecaries, in cities and towns where no society exists, whereby they may send representatives, to the extent of one for every ten apothecaries, in such places; each representative to bring with him a certificate from his constituents. Finally, to provide for the admission of isolated individuals, who may not have neighbors sufficient to entitle them to act as representatives, but who feel an interest in the association. Power should be given to the committee, on credentials, under certain restrictions.

The formation of the constitution, and the preparation of a code of ethics applicable to the present condition of the profession; sufficiently stringent to elevate the members above many things now too prevalent, and yet not so binding as to exclude a large number, who, though well disposed, are unable to free themselves from participation in acts contrary to the highest standard, without a sacrifice greater than could be expected of them, should engage the wisest action of the Convention, to render them practicable in their working. {335}

2nd, The subject of _Pharmaceutical Education_ is, in the opinion of this committee, one of great importance, and deserving of the consideration of the committee, in several points of view. Indeed, the primary object of the Convention being called, was in reference to the improvement of the standard practice throughout the country; and this cannot be effected without extending the present means of education, either by schools, or by an increase of facilities, offered by proprietors to their apprentices and assistants. In too many instances the proprietors are illy fitted to extend to those whom they have engaged to teach the business of a Pharmaceutist the tuition that of right belongs to them. As schools of pharmacy are of gradual growth, and cannot be expected to exist, except in large cities, the Convention would do well to consider what subsidiary means may be enlisted to reach those of our brethren who reside in small towns. One of the first of these collateral aids will be found in local organizations, embracing the proprietors in such towns where, by a union of their exertions and contributions they may encourage pharmaceutical literature, by forming libraries, and uphold among themselves correct practice,—the employment only of good drugs, and the receipt of fair prices.

In France, where but three pharmaceutical schools exist, there are such societies in all large towns, which have halls and libraries, where their young men and apprentices have opportunities for gaining knowledge; and laboratories wherein they occasionally perform operations not easily executed with the instruments and utensils most usually found in shop laboratories. If such associations can be formed by the proprietors, they will soon influence the apprentices, and thus effect the object aimed at, to a great extent.

The superior advantages of tuition in well conducted schools of pharmacy will not be doubted, especially, when it is preceded by several years shop practice. Access to these, by young men at a distance, can always be had, when their circumstances enable them to attend, and thus finish their pharmaceutical education. The perfection of a school of pharmacy is attained by attaching to it a practical laboratory, wherein the advanced pupils can have an opportunity to become familiar with the more difficult manipulations of pharmaceutical chemistry, and of extemporaneous pharmacy. As yet, neither of the schools in this country have that addition, which arises from the fact, that the expense of conducting them, renders their support by the fees {336} of the pupils almost impossible. We think the voice of the Convention should be raised to encourage the formation of such schools, and also, to advocate the practice of preparing chemicals in the shop laboratory.

3rd, The apprenticeship system, which obtains, in many parts of the United States, is a subject worthy the consideration of the Convention. The conditions, conducing to mutual advantage, between the employer and the employed, are not sufficiently attended to in general. Proprietors often do not consider the fitness of applicants, both as regards natural endowments and preliminary education, with that care and attention that a due regard to such applicants demands; and consequently, a large number of inefficient apothecaries are entailed upon the country—inefficient from lack of talent, or from disgust at a business for which they have no inclination. More attention to the claims of apprentices, on the _teaching_ of their employers, should be advocated by the Convention as due to the former, as advantageous to the latter, and eventually to the profession.

4th, The committee believe that the subject of _secret medicines_, or quackery, as applied to Pharmacy, together with the course usually followed by quacks, in bringing their nostrums into notice, is becoming yearly more fraught with ill consequences, both to the consumers and the apothecaries, and merits the consideration of the Convention, as to whether the reference of the subject to a committee to investigate, would not result in some advantage.

5th, The subject of the _inspection of imported drugs_, as regards the _actual_ working of the law, is of deep interest to all. The possibility of bringing the influence of this Convention to bear, in regard to the continuance in office of able men, solely on the ground of fitness, is worth consideration. The usefulness of this law rests absolutely on the ability and conscientiousness of the inspector, and if incumbents, perfectly satisfactory to those concerned, are removed on political grounds, and replaced by inexperienced and unqualified persons, it is apparent that the good results of the law will cease.

Whatever may be the efficiency of the law against the importation of inferior drugs, it will not reach those _at home_, who are disposed to resort to adulteration as a means of increasing their profits. The power of the General Government ceases with the Custom House. It will be necessary in order to reach this evil effectually, as far as it can be {337} done by legislation; to induce our State Legislatures and Municipal Authorities to authorize some form of inspection by which the delinquents can be reached; not the drug adulterator merely, but the medicine adulterator—the apothecary who scruples not to reduce the strength of standard medicines, that he may reduce his prices. Whatever may be the proper course of this Convention, we believe that eventually the National Association should urge, with all the force of its influence, the enactment of State laws tending to the reformation of these evils.

6th, The general adoption of our _National Pharmacopœia_ as a guide in the preparation of officinal medicines, is much to be desired. We believe that this Convention should encourage its adoption, and should request the publishers of that work to issue a small sized cheap edition, so that every physician and apothecary shall have a copy. We also believe that a fruitful source of variation in the preparations of the shops, is the existence of a number of formulæ for the same preparation, as found in the British Pharmacopœias parallel with that of our own code, in the commentaries in general use.

7th, The _indiscriminate sale of poisons_ by druggists and apothecaries, as at present conducted, is a serious evil in the United States. Any views which may originate in the Convention, tending to abate this evil, would no doubt have some influence, if circulated by its authority.

8th, The separation of Pharmacy from the practice of Medicine, has long been effected on the continent of Europe, by the direct interference of the government, each profession being in the hands of a distinct class of men. Inheriting, as we do, our medical institutions from Great Britain, the confusion of interests which has long prevailed there has in some measure descended to us; and many instances of medical practitioners conducting apothecary shops, like the so-called _apothecaries_ of England, exist among us. The increase of this class in some localities has been marked of late years—a fact attributable to the “undue multiplication of graduates in medicine, who, finding the ranks of their profession so full as to render prospect of immediate success doubtful, turn their attention towards Pharmacy, as a subsidiary means of support. As these mongrel apothecaries too frequently use their shops merely as stepping-stones to business, they tend directly to depreciate the standard of practice on the one hand, and tempt {338} young apothecaries, who are struggling against the difficulties of an already excessive competition, to turn their attention to medical practice with or without a diploma, as may suit their circumstances or fancy, on the other, and thus complicate the confusion. As pharmacy never will advance as it should, whilst this amalgamation exists in cities and towns to any large extent, we earnestly recommend to this Convention, that a voice may go forth at its present session, calling attention to this growing evil.

9th, Believing, that if the Pharmaceutists of the United States are true to themselves, the Meetings of the Association, of which the present may be considered the beginning, will annually increase in interest and importance, we would suggest—what must have occurred to many present—that they should be partially devoted to the advancement of Pharmacy, as well as to the sciences on which it is based, by inviting contributions of original papers, and by committing subjects requiring investigation to suitable committees, who should report the results of their researches at the ensuing Annual Meeting, when, if they meet the approbation of the Association, it might direct their publication. Participation in the proceedings of such a gathering of their brethren, would prove a powerful incentive to many pharmaceutists, whose tastes lead them into scientific paths, to cultivate their talents by the pursuit of investigations fraught with usefulness to their profession at home, and with honor to it abroad.

And lastly, whatever may be the ultimate action of the Convention, in relation to the subjects brought forward in this Report, we would respectfully suggest that a full digest of its proceedings be directed to be published, and largely circulated among the Pharmaceutists of the United States, as calculated to do much good.

(SIGNED,) WILLIAM PROCTER, JR., SAMUEL M. COLCORD, GEO. D. COGGESHALL. COMMITTEE.

The Second Meeting of this Association was mainly occupied in reading and discussing a draft of a Constitution and code of Ethics.

THIRD SITTING, October 7th, 4 o’clock, P. M.

President in the chair.

On the roll being called, the delegates generally were present. {339}

The minutes of the preceding sitting were read and adopted.

The President informed the Convention, that the Business Committee not being ready to report, it was understood that Dr. Stewart, Examiner of Drugs, &c., at the port of Baltimore, had some statements to offer in regard to the working of the Drug Law at that port, and the Convention assenting, requested him to proceed.

Dr. Stewart stated, that as there had been some difference of opinion among the Drug Examiners, as to the intention of the law in certain cases, he desired the opinion of the Convention regarding the inferior class of Cinchona Barks that came from Maracaibo, Carthagena, &c., and other articles about which there is difference of opinion among druggists. In illustration of the difficulties of the subject, he remarked that one invoice of bark, that in a commercial point of view was not esteemed, and which came invoiced at ten cents per pound, had yielded, on analysis, two and a half per cent of cinchonine; whilst Loxa bark, invoiced at thirty cents per pound, had afforded but a fraction of one per cent. He considered the admission of the barks in question as quite different from deteriorated or adulterated drugs, in as much as they possessed a range of power which, though inferior to the best Peruvian barks, was yet useful, and capable of application in medicine.

He therefore offered the following resolution:

“Resolved, that it is the opinion of this Convention, that all varieties of drugs, that are good of their kind, should be admitted by the Special Examiners of drugs and medicines.”

Pending the consideration of this resolution, Mr. Coggeshall informed the Convention that Dr. Bailey, the Special Examiner of Drugs for the port of New York, had furnished, at his request, a report on the character of imported drugs, coming under his supervision, and on the general working of the laws, which, by request, was read. (Published in our last.)

A similar report from Mr. Edward Hamilton, late Drug Examiner at the port of Boston, communicated to Mr. S. M. Colcord, at his request, with a view to its being presented to {340} this Convention, was also read. (To be published in our next.)

Dr. Stewart then opened the debate on the subject, arguing that drugs, of whatever virtue or variety, so that they are good of their kind, should be admitted. In reference to Barks he could say, that perhaps a larger amount of the varieties of that drug came to the port of Baltimore than any other. That the merchants in that trade were so desirous of getting the best kinds, that it was quite usual for them to import specimens by way of the Isthmus, and have them examined before ordering their invoices, to ascertain whether they would pass the Custom-house, that he had, (as Examiner at that port,) chemically examined a large number of samples of the barks, both Peruvian and Carthagena, and that the latter had invariably contained more or less of alkaloids, and were generally of good quality, of their kind.

He therefore considered the fact that a drug is, or may be used as an adulteration for other drugs, should not exclude it if it is used to any extent on its own merits. In illustration, Dr. Stewart remarked that the Examiner might go on a vessel and observe, side by side, two casks of oil, consigned to the same individual, one invoiced “cod liver oil,” and the other “sperm oil.” On examination he finds that they are what they purport to be; the suspicion would arise very naturally, that the latter was to be used for adulterating the former, yet, should sperm oil be excluded, because certain parties use it for an adulteration? He thought not, and on the same grounds he considered that the inferior barks and rhubarb should be admitted, although some persons may use them for adulteration.

At the request of the President, Professor Carson, of the University of Pennsylvania, addressed the Convention on the subject before it. He coincided generally with the views of Dr. Stewart, as regarded the value of the drugs in question. He expressed the opinion that numerous varieties of the so-called Carthagena and Maracaibo barks, were possessed of decided medicinal virtue; that several kinds of European rhubarb {341} were of much value in medicine, especially in times when the officinal varieties are scarce, and that these drugs should all be admitted, when not deteriorated or adulterated.

Mr. Haskell, of New York, advocated the same views, more especially, as related to English rhubarb, bringing forward the testimony of Dr. Pereira, to the effect, that some specimens of Banbury rhubarb were almost, if not fully equal to the Chinese drug, and they were here even of rather higher price. He also stated, that a large demand existed in this country for the yellow Carthagena barks, that the House, of which he Was a member, sold large quantities in powder, and that the parties purchasing it did so, knowing its origin. He was not aware of the use to which it was put, but presumed that it was employed legitimately.

Mr. Fisk, of Connecticut, stated, that through the part of New England that he represented, considerable quantities of the barks in question were used legitimately, as tonics; and that no instance of their being used as an adulteration of the Peruvian barks had come to his knowledge.

Mr. Coggeshall on the other side of the question, called the attention of the Convention to the item in Dr. Bailey’s Report, showing that three hundred thousand pounds of these barks had been rejected at the port of New York, in about two years and a half. He argued that this bark was not consumed there; that it was not used in the manufacture of the alkaloids; that the allegation that it was used for making tooth powders would hardly account for the great consumption of it, and the question naturally arose for what purpose was it imported? He believed that it was used extensively to grind with the Peruvian barks, as an adulteration, and to make an inferior extract, which could be done cheaply and profitably, and it was largely sold as an officinal preparation, that many of the persons who came to our cities to buy drugs, were not able to judge of their purity, and bought them without asking any questions, save, as regarded price,—and so convinced was he of the application of these false barks to these false purposes, {342} that as a protective measure, in his opinion, they should be excluded. And also, in regard to English and other European rhubarb, that the argument of Professor Carson would not hold good while the markets were so well supplied with the Russian and Chinese varieties, to which the Banbury, regarded as the best of the European, was so very inferior. It might be used as a dernier resort, but should only be so used. Entirely independent of this argument, however, Mr. Coggeshall considered that European rhubarb should be excluded, because of its peculiar adaptation and general use as an adulteration, owing to its fine color, which enables the adulterator to improve the appearance of the inferior Chinese variety, to mix it with the Russian article in powder, without depreciating its appearance; or, as it is notoriously done, to a great extent, substitute it entirely for the true article.

Mr. Colcord, of Boston, advocated the latter view, and hoped that the Resolution would not pass.

Other members of the Convention joined in the debate, after which, the question was taken on the Resolution of Dr. Stewart, and it was lost.

As the importance of the subject introduced by Dr. Stewart, was fully appreciated by the Convention, at the same time that no direct course of action seemed proper for it to pursue, the following Resolution was offered by Mr. Smith, of Cincinnati, viz.:

“Resolved, that the whole subject of the Inspection of Drugs shall be referred to a Committee, who shall be instructed to confer with the Examiners, and endeavor to arrive at some practicable means of fixing standards for imported drugs.”

The resolution was unanimously adopted, and Mr. Taylor, of Philadelphia, Mr. Meakim, of New York, and Mr. Burnett, of Boston, were appointed by the President, to carry it into effect.

On motion of Mr. Procter, Dr. Stewart, of Baltimore, was added to the Committee.

[This Report is made up from the Report of the Executive Committee, published in Philadelphia. The conclusion of the proceedings will be given in our next.]

{343}

OBSERVATIONS UPON A GENERAL METHOD FOR DETECTING THE ORGANIC ALKALOIDS IN CASES OF POISONING.

BY PROFESSOR STAS, OF BRUSSELS.

Whatever certain authors may have said on the subject, it is possible to discover in a suspected liquid all the alkaloids, in whatever state they may be. I am quite convinced that every Chemist who has kept up his knowledge as to analysis, will not only succeed in detecting their presence, but even in determining the nature of that which he has discovered, provided that the alkaloid in question is one of that class of bodies, the properties of which have been suitably studied. Thus he will be able to discover conia, nicotine, aniline, picoline, petinine, morphine, codeine, narcotine, strychnine, brucine, veratrine, colchicine, delphine, emetine, solanine, aconitine, atropine, hyoscyamine. I do not pretend to say that the chemical study of all these alkaloids has been sufficiently well made to enable the experimenter who detects one of them to know it immediately, and affirm that it is such an alkaloid, and not such another. Nevertheless, in those even which he cannot positively determine or specify, he may be able to say that it belongs to such a family of vegetables—the Solanaceæ, for example. In a case of poisoning by such agents, even this will be of much importance. The method which I now propose for detecting the alkaloids in suspected matters, is nearly the same as that employed for extracting those bodies from the vegetables which contain them. The only difference consists in the manner of setting them free, and of presenting them to the action of solvents. We know that the alkaloids form acid salts, which are equally soluble in water and alcohol; we know also that a solution of these acid salts can be decomposed so that the base set at liberty remains either momentarily or permanently in solution in the liquid. _I have observed that all the solid and fixed alkaloids above enumerated, when maintained in a free state_ {344} _and in solution in a liquid, can be taken up by ether when this solvent is in sufficient quantity._ Thus, to extract an alkaloid from a suspected substance, the only problem to resolve consists in separating, by the aid of simple means, the foreign matters, and then to find a base which, in rendering the alkaloid free, retains it in solution, in order that the ether may extract it from the liquid. Successive treatment by water and alcohol of different degrees of concentration, suffices for separating the foreign matters, and obtaining in a small bulk a solution in which the alkaloid can be found. The bicarbonates of potash or soda, or these alkalies in a caustic state, are convenient bases for setting the alkaloids at liberty, at the same time keeping them wholly in solution, especially if the alkaloids have been combined with an excess of tartaric or of oxalic acid.

To separate foreign substances, animal or otherwise, from the suspected matters, recourse is commonly had to the tribasic acetate of lead, and precipitating the lead afterwards by a current of sulphuretted hydrogen. As I have several times witnessed, this procedure has many and very serious inconveniences. In the first place, the tribasic acetate of lead, even when used in large excess, comes far short of precipitating all the foreign matters; secondly, the sulphuretted hydrogen, which is used to precipitate the lead, remains in combination with certain organic matters which undergo great changes by the action of the air and of even a moderate heat; so that animal liquids which have been precipitated by the tribasic acetate of lead, and from which the lead has been separated afterwards by hydrosulphuric acid, color rapidly on exposure to the air, and exhale at the same time a putrid odor, which adheres firmly to the matters which we extract afterwards from these liquids. The use of a salt of lead presents another inconvenience, viz.: the introduction of foreign metals into the suspected matters, so that that portion of the suspected substance is rendered unfit for testing for mineral substances. The successive and combined use of water and alcohol at different states of concentration, {345} permits us to search for mineral substances, whatever be their nature, so that in this way nothing is compromised, which is of immense advantage when the analyst does not know what poison he is to look for.

It is hardly necessary to say, that in medico-legal researches for the alkaloids, we ought never to use animal charcoal for decolorizing the liquids, because we may lose all the alkaloid in the suspected matters. It is generally known that animal charcoal absorbs these substances at the same time that it fixes the coloring and odoriferous matters.

[This is no doubt true; we must not use animal charcoal to decolorize, and then look for the alkaloid in the _liquid_, but we may use it, at least in the case of strychnia and some of the non-volatile alkaloids, to separate them, and then we look for them _in the charcoal_. See notice of Graham and Hofmann’s Process for Detecting Strychnia: _Monthly Journal_, Aug., 1852, p. 140; _Pharmaceutical Journal_, vol. xi., p. 504, May, 1852.]

The above observations do not proceed from speculative ideas only, but are the result of a pretty long series of experiments which I have several times employed for discovering these organic alkaloids. To put in practice the principles which I have thus explained, the following is the method in which I propose to set about such an analysis:—I suppose that we wish to look for an alkaloid in the contents of the stomach or intestines; we commence by adding to these matters twice their weight of pure and very strong alcohol;[26] we add afterwards, according to the quantity and nature of the suspected matter, from ten to thirty grains of tartaric or oxalic acid—in preference tartaric; we introduce the mixture into a flask, and heat it to 160° or 170° Fahrenheit. After it has completely cooled it is to be filtered, the insoluble residue washed with strong alcohol, and the {346} filtered liquid evaporated in vacuo. If the operator has not an air-pump, the liquid is to be exposed to a strong current of air at a temperature of not more than 90° Fahrenheit. If, after the volatilization of the alcohol, the residue contains fatty or other insoluble matters, the liquid is to be filtered a second time, and then the filtrate and washings of the filter evaporated in the air-pump till nearly dry. If we have no air pump, it is to be placed under a bell-jar over a vessel containing concentrated sulphuric acid. We are then to treat the residue with cold anhydrous alcohol, taking care to exhaust the substance thoroughly; we evaporate the alcohol in the open air at the ordinary temperature, or still better, in vacuo; we now dissolve the acid residue in the smallest possible quantity of water, and introduce the solution into a small test-tube, and add little by little pure powdered bicarbonate of soda or potash, till a fresh quantity produces no further effervescence of carbonic acid. We then agitate the whole with four or five times its bulk of pure ether, and leave it to settle. When the ether swimming on the top is perfectly clear, then decant some of it into a capsule, and leave it in _a very dry place_ to spontaneous evaporation.

[26] When we wish to look for an alkaloid in the tissue of an organ, as the liver, heart, or lungs, we must first divide the organ into very small fragments, moisten the mass with pure strong alcohol, then express strongly, and by further treatment with alcohol exhaust the tissue of everything soluble. The liquid so obtained, is to be treated in the same way as a mixture of suspected matter and alcohol.

Now, two orders of things may present themselves; either the alkaloid contained in the suspected matter is liquid and volatile, or solid and fixed. I shall now consider these two hypotheses.

EXAMINATION FOR A LIQUID AND VOLATILE ALKALI.

We suppose there exists a liquid and volatile alkaloid. In such a case, by the evaporation of the ether, there remains in the inside of the capsule some small liquid striæ which fall to the bottom of the vessel. In this case, under the influence of the heat of the hand, the contents of the capsule exhale an odor more or less disagreeable, which becomes, according to the nature of the alkaloid, more or less pungent, suffocating, irritant; it presents, in short, a smell like that of a volatile alkali masked by an animal odor. If we discover any traces of the presence of a volatile alkaloid, we add then to the contents {347} of the vessel, from which we have decanted a small quantity of ether, one or two fluid drachms of a strong solution of caustic potash or soda, and agitate the mixture. After a sufficient time, we draw off the ether into a test-tube; we exhaust the mixture by two or three treatments with ether, and unite all the ethereal fluids. We pour afterwards into this ether, holding the alkaloid in solution, one or two drachms of water, acidulated with a fifth part of its weight of pure sulphuric acid, agitate it for some time, leave it to settle, pour off the ether swimming on the top, and wash the acid liquid at the bottom with a new quantity of ether. As the sulphates of ammonia, of nicotine, aniline, quinoleine, picoline, and petinine, are entirely insoluble in ether, the water acidulated with sulphuric acid contains the alkaloid in a small bulk, and in the state of a pure sulphate; but as the sulphate of conia is soluble in ether, the ether may contain a small quantity of this alkali, but the greater part remains in the acidulated watery solution. The ether, on the other hand, retains all the animal matters which it has taken from the alkaline solutions. If it on spontaneous evaporation leaves a small quantity of a feebly-colored yellowish residue, of a repulsive animal odor, mixed with a certain quantity of sulphate of conine, this alkaloid exists in the suspected matter under analysis. To extract the alkaloid from the solution of the acid sulphate, we add to the latter an aqueous and concentrated solution of potash or caustic soda, we agitate and exhaust the mixture with pure ether; the ether dissolves ammonia, and the alkaloid is now free. We expose the ethereal solution at the lowest possible temperature to spontaneous evaporation; almost all the ammonia volatilizes with the ether, whilst the alkaloid remains as residue. To eliminate the last traces of ammonia, we place for a few minutes the vessel containing the alkaloid in a vacuum over sulphuric acid, and obtain the organic alkaloid with the chemical and physical characters which belong to it, and which it is now the Chemist’s duty to determine positively.

I applied, on the 3d March, 1851, the process which I have {348} described, to the detection of nicotine in the blood from the heart of a dog poisoned by two cubic centimetres [0.78 C.I.] of nicotine introduced into the œsophagus, and I was able in a most positive manner to determine the presence of nicotine in the blood. I was able to determine its physical characters, its odor, taste, and alkalinity. I succeeded in obtaining the chloroplatinate of the base perfectly crystallized in quadrilateral rhomboidal prisms of a rather dark yellow color, and to ascertain their insolubility in alcohol and ether.

I have applied the same process for the detection of conia in a very old tincture of hemlock, which my friend and colleague M. de Hemptinne was so kind as to put at my disposal; and I was equally successful in extracting from the liquid colorless conia, presenting all the physical and chemical properties of this alkali. I was also able to prove that the ether which holds conia in solution, carries off a notable portion of this alkaloid when the solvent is exposed to spontaneous evaporation.

EXAMINATION FOR A SOLID AND FIXED ALKALOID.

Let us now suppose that the alkali is solid and fixed; in that case, according to the nature of the alkali, it may happen that the evaporation of the ether resulting from the treatment of the acid matter, to which we have added bicarbonate of soda, may leave or not a residue, containing an alkaloid. If it does, we add a solution of caustic potash or soda to the liquid, and agitate it briskly with ether. This dissolves the vegetable alkaloid, now free and remaining in the solution of potash or soda. In either case, we exhaust the matter with ether. Whatever be the agent which has set the alkaloid free, whether it be the bicarbonate of soda or potash, or caustic soda or potash, it remains, by the evaporation of the ether, on the side of the capsule as a solid body, but more commonly a colorless milky liquid, holding solid matters in suspension. The odor of the substance is animal, disagreeable, but not pungent. It turns litmus paper permanently blue.

When we thus discover a solid alkaloid, the first thing to do is to try and obtain it in a crystalline state, so as to be able to {349} determine its form. Put some drops of alcohol in the capsule which contains the alkaloid, and leave the solution to spontaneous evaporation. It is, however, very rare that the alkaloid obtained by the above process is pure enough to crystallize. Almost always it is soiled by foreign matters. To isolate these substances, some drops of water, feebly acidulated with sulphuric acid, are poured into the capsule, and then moved over its surface, so as to bring it in contact with the matter in the capsule. Generally we observe that the acid water does not moisten the sides of the vessel. The matter which is contained in it separates into two parts, one formed of greasy matter, which remains adherent to the sides—the other alkaline, which dissolves and forms an acid sulphate. We cautiously decant the acid liquid, which ought to be limpid and colorless, if the process has been well executed; the capsule is well washed with some drops of acidulated water, added to the first liquid, and the whole is evaporated to three-fourths in vacuo, or under a bell-jar over sulphuric acid. We put into the residue a very concentrated solution of pure carbonate of potash, and treat the whole liquid with absolute alcohol. This dissolves the alkaloid, while it leaves untouched the sulphate of potash and excess of carbonate of potash. The evaporation of the alcoholic solution gives us the alkaloid in crystals.

It is now the Chemist’s business to determine its properties, to be able to prove its individuality. I have applied the principles which I have just expounded to the detection of morphine, iodine, strychnine, brucine, veratrine, emetine, colchicine, aconitine, atropine, hyoscyamine—and I have succeeded in isolating, without the least difficulty, these different alkalies, previously mixed with foreign matters.

I have thus been able to extract, by this process, morphine from opium, strychnine and brucine from nux vomica, veratrine from extract of veratram, emetine from extract of ipecacuanha, colchicine from tincture of colchicum, aconitine from an aqueous extract of aconite, hyoscyamine from a very old extract of henbane, and atropine from an equally old tincture of {350} belladonna. Thus it is in all confidence that I submit this process to the consideration of Chemists who undertake medico-legal researches.—_Bulletin de l’ Académie Royale de Médecine de Belgique_, tom. vi., No. 2; _and Edinburgh Monthly Journal of Medical Science_.

VARIA—EDITORIAL.

OINTMENT OF STAVESACRE IN ITCH.—It has long been known that the itch is caused by the attack of a minute insect, the acarus scabiei, the male of which has only been lately detected, by the microscope. The ordinary sulphur ointment, though successful after repeated applications, in destroying the insect, often causes a good deal of irritation of the skin, and leaves the patient with an eruption as troublesome if not as permanent as the itch itself. M. Bourguignon, a French physician, finds that the infusion of the seeds of the stavesacre, (Delphinium Staphisagria) or a solution of the extract, not only speedily kills the insects and destroys their eggs, but that it has no irritating influence whatever upon the skin itself. He afterwards adopted an ointment, prepared by digesting over a vapor bath, for twenty-four hours, three parts of stavesacre seeds in five parts of lard, and straining the product while still liquid. He found that friction with this ointment cured the patient in four days, while seven days were required when sulphur ointment was used.

POISONOUS HONEY.—The family of one of our most respectable wholesale druggists has lately suffered severely from symptoms of poisoning, caused by some honey which they had eaten. The family of one of his neighbors likewise, to whom, induced by its particularly fine appearance, he had sent some of the honey, were affected in a similar manner. The number of those who partook of the suspected article, all of whom were affected, though not to the same degree, renders it certain that the symptoms were not caused by any idiosyncracy, but were produced by some poisonous principle, probably derived from some narcotico-acrid plant on which the bees had fed.

On eating it there was an unpleasant sense of pricking and burning in the throat, nausea, and a burning sensation throughout the whole system, together with an immediate effect upon vision, approaching to blindness. Several of those who {351} ate of the honey vomited violently and were in great distress. One was rendered entirely blind and insensible, and it was feared for some time might not recover. In the other cases the effect passed off in some ten or twelve hours. In one case a single drop of the honey, taken on the end of the finger from the box where it had leaked through a crevice, had such an effect on the sight that the person could not see to read a newspaper, but it passed off within an hour.

“We are not aware,” continues our informant, “of any poisonous plants in the vicinity where the honey was made, except what is called kill-calf, (Andromeda Mariana) which is found in abundance on Hempstead Plains, at a distance of about a mile.”

If, as is supposed, the poison was derived from some plant in which the bees had fed, it must have been elaborated or concentrated in the economy of the insect, or been the product of some reaction of the honey itself upon the poisonous principle, since no poisonous vegetable is known which would produce such effects, in such minute quantity.

NEW REMEDIES.—Dr. J. Y. Simpson, of Edinburg, the discoverer of the anaesthetic properties of Chloroform, has lately been experimenting on the physiological and therapeutical properties of a varitey of substances which have not previously been used in medicine. He finds that the alkaloid furfurine in poisonous doses, produces upon animals many of the symptoms of poisoning by quinine, and that in smaller doses on the human subject it acts as a tonic, if not an anti-periodic. He has likewise used nickel, generally in the form of sulphate, and finds that it is exceedingly analagous in its therapeutic effects to the salts of iron. In one instance, however, a case of severe periodic headache, it proved completely successful, after iron with quinine, and a great many other remedies had been tried in vain.

THE CONVENTION.—The _event_ for Pharmaceutists in the past month, was the Meeting of the Convention at Philadelphia. The number present was smaller than could have been wished, yet great as could reasonably have been anticipated. Eight states were represented, including Mr. Bache, of San Francisco, California, and there were delegates present from five Colleges. We have devoted, perhaps, an undue portion of our space to a partial record of its proceedings. Though on particular points there were differences of opinion, yet on the whole the meetings were characterized by great unanimity of sentiment, as well as cordiality of feeling. Our great hope for the Convention is, that it will form a bond of union among the scattered and divided members of the profession in the United States; that it will tend to bring them into one great body, united by common interests and common pursuits, that it will tend to soften commercial jealousies between individuals, as well as between states and cities; that it will enable the profession when united, to exercise its rightful and legitimate influence upon {352} public opinion; that in the profession itself it will promote a more extended course of education, a higher standard of attainment and nobler principles of conduct. These are great aims and worthy of strenuous efforts, and it is to be hoped that no personal or sectional jealousies may be permitted to stand in the way of their attainment. The Convention has made a good beginning, “Esto perpetua.”

COLLEGE OF PHARMACY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.

The regular Winter Course of Lectures in this Institution, will commence on Monday, 1st instant, at 7 o’clock, P. M., and be continued four months, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings of each week, at the College Rooms.

On Materia Medica and Pharmacy, from 7 to 8 o’clock, by Prof. B.W. MCCREADY, M.D.

On Chemistry, from 8 to 9 o’clock, by Professor R. O. DOREMUS, M.D.

On Botany, by Professor I. F. HOLTON, of which further notice will be given.

The Chemical Lectures will comprise instruction in the Science as extensively connected with many of the useful and ornamental arts, rendering them of great advantage to the community at large as well as to the Apothecary.

In calling public attention to the present Course, the Trustees would more especially call upon the Medical Profession and Druggists and Apothecaries generally, to encourage them in carrying out, in the most effectual manner, the important design of providing, at a nominal expense, for a knowledge of Chemistry, Pharmacy, and the collateral Sciences, to our future Apothecaries, and to all others who will avail themselves of the facilities offered.

In urging these, the Trustees have no selfish ends to attain beyond the gratification of ministering to the public good in the elevation of their profession; they desire to see their efforts appreciated and sustained by full classes, and would earnestly ask of their brethren to make sufficient sacrifice of time and convenience to enable their Assistants and Pupils to profit by the opportunity offered for their instruction. The advantages will recur directly to the employer in the improved capacity and usefulness of his Assistants.

The Trustees solicit the influence of the Medical Profession to aid them in cultivating a desire to improve this important Auxilliary Department of the Profession, as the successful treatment of disease is greatly dependent on the integrity and intelligence of the apothecary.

Tickets for the Course on Chemistry, at $7, and on Materia Medica and Pharmacy, at $7, may be procured from

MR. GEORGE D. COGGESHALL, No. 809 BROADWAY. MR. J. S. ASPINWALL, No. 86 WILLIAM STREET. DR. W. J. OLLIFFE, No. 6 BOWERY.

AND AT THE COLLEGE ROOMS, No. 511 BROADWAY.

October, 1852.

ERRATUM.—In the October No. on page 294, twentieth line from the top, for _manifestations_, read _modifications_.

{353}

NEW YORK

JOURNAL OF PHARMACY.

DECEMBER, 1852.

ON THE PRESERVATION OF IODIDE OF IRON.

BY HENRY WURTZ.

There can be no doubt that imperfections exist in many of the methods at present in use for the preservation of various articles of the materia medica. Wherever the fault may be in these cases, the evil is generally shared between the physicians and the patients, much the larger share of course, falling to the latter. The _iodide of iron_ is one of these articles, and it will appear probable from the sequel that, in a multitude of cases, this remedy is administered to the patient in quantities which are inconstant and much too small to produce the effect contemplated by the physician in his prescription.

One method, extensively employed, of preserving iodide of iron, for use in medicine, is in the form of an aqueous solution in which a coil of iron wire is kept immersed. This method is given by Pereira,[27] as proposed by Hemingway. Pereira also remarks in another place that “it is important to know, that by keeping a coil of iron wire in a solution of the protiodide, as suggested by Mr. Squire, no free iodine or sesquiodide of iron is formed although the liquid may be fully exposed to air and light; sesquioxide of iron is formed, but if the solution be filtered it is found to contain protiodide only.”

[27] Materia Medica, 3rd Am. Ed. 1, 745.

In a paper previously published in this journal, I have remarked with reference to this matter, that I should strongly {354} suspect in this case a formation of a subiodide of iron and consequent abstraction of iodine from the solution.[28] Since that time I have been enabled to confirm this supposition by experiment. Pieces of iron wire placed in contact with a colorless solution of iodide of iron caused, in the course of a few hours, the deposition of a precipitate, which had a dark orange color quite distinct from the dark brown color of hydrated sesquioxide of iron precipitated from a solution of the protochloride of iron by metallic iron. This precipitate, being washed with distilled water until the washings gave no indication of the presence of _iron_, was still found to contain much iodine. No quantitative analysis of the precipitate, however, was attempted, for it was found that the washings which no longer contained a trace of iron still gave with nitric acid and starch, a strong iodine reaction, thus indicating that the subiodide of iron upon the filter, whatever its composition, was decomposed by the action of water and oxygen as soon as the neutral iodide of iron was washed out. This is probably the reason why previous observers have mistaken this precipitate for pure sesquioxide of iron, having continued washing the precipitate until the washing no longer gave an _iodine_ reaction, instead of an _iron_ reaction as in the plan adopted by me, and consequently until all the subiodide of iron was decomposed and nothing but sesquioxide of iron was actually left upon the filter.

[28] New-York Journal of Pharmacy, August, 1852.

The washings, however, after the removal of the iodide of iron, gave no iodine reaction with starch until after the addition of nitric acid; iodine, therefore, could only have been present in the form of hydriodic acid and the reaction by which the unknown subiodide of iron was decomposed may be represented as follows:—2 Fe I^{1}‗{x} + ^{1}‗{x}H O + (3−^{1}‗{x})O = Fe ^{2}O^{3} + ^{1}‗{x}HI.

Since the above experiments were made, I have found that I have, after all, merely been in a measure confirming an observation of the illustrious Berzelius. _Gmelin’s Handbuch_ under the head of _Einfachiodeisen_, has the following, “Nach Berzelius ist das braune Pulver welches sich beim Aussetzen des {355} wässrigen Einfachiodeisens an die Luft absetzt, nicht reines Eisenoxyd, sondern ein basisches salz.”[29]

It appears, therefore, that the method of preserving iodide of iron in solution, in contact with metallic iron is perfectly fallacious. This remedy, if preserved in solution at all, should be kept in bottles hermetically closed.

[29] According to Berzelius, the brown powder, which is deposited upon exposure of aqueous protiodide of iron to the air, is not pure sesquioxide of iron, but a basic salt.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE VOLATILITY AND SOLUBILITY OF CANTHARDIN IN VIEW OF THE MOST ELEGIBLE PHARMACEUTICAL TREATMENT OF SPANISH FLIES.

BY WILLIAM PROCTER, JR.

Cantharides have been used in Pharmacy since the days of Hippocrates. It was not till 1810, however, that the principle giving them activity was isolated by Robiquet (Annal. de Chimie lxxvi. 302,) and subsequently named _Cantharidin_ by Dr. Thomas Thompson. Since then various experimenters have been engaged in the chemical investigation of these flies, and in the more recent treatises they are stated to consist of _cantharidin_, _yellow fixed oil_, _green fixed oil_, _a yellow viscous substance_, _a black matter_, _ozmazome_, _uric acid_, _acetic acid_, _phosphoric acid_, and the _phosphate of lime and magnesia_. It is proverbial among apothecaries and physicians, that the pharmaceutical preparations designed to produce vesication, vary very much in their power as prepared by different individuals, and from different samples of cantharides by the same recipes. Is this variableness of power due to the inequality of strength of the commercial drug? or, are we to attribute it to the treatment employed by the apothecary? The real importance of these queries demands an answer. To proceed {356} properly, the investigator should examine cantharidin in a pure state, ascertain how far the statements of writers are correct, then by a series of analyses, quantitative as regards that principle, determine whether its proportion varies, and to what extent, in different specimens of cantharides of fair quality; and finally to test the preparations derived from the same samples and see how far they correspond with the inferences drawn from the ascertained properties and proportion of the active principle. I have at present undertaken to resolve but a part of these queries—yet by far the most important ones—as will be seen.

Cantharidin is a white, neutral substance, of which the formula according to Regnault is C‗{10}H O‗{4}. Gmelin considers it of the nature of a solid volatile oil. As usually seen it has the form of minute flatted four-sided prisms (_c_,) much broken up, so as to appear like scales. When deposited from an ethereal solution of cantharides by slow evaporation, or from its solution in hot acetic acid by cooling, it assumes the form of flattened oblique four-sided prisms with dihedral summits, derived from the rectangular prism by the bevelment of its edges (see fig. _a_ and _b_ from _c_.) The crystals by slow sublimation are four-sided rectangular prisms of great brilliance and sometimes iridescent, _c_ and _d_.

SOLUBILITY.—Pure cantharidin is insoluble in water, hot or cold. It is slightly soluble in cold alcohol, readily so when hot. Ether dissolves it to a greater extent, yet much more easily hot than cold. Chloroform is its best solvent, cold or hot, as shown in a former essay (Am. Jour. Pharm. vol. xxiii. 124,) and will remove it from the aqueous infusion of the flies. Acetic ether dissolves cantharidin, especially when hot, but does not retain much on cooling. When one part of cantharides is mixed with 20 parts of olive oil and heated to 250° Fahr. it is completely dissolved. As the solution cools, the cantharidin rapidly separates in shining needles in such quantity as {357} at first to give the oil a pulpy consistence. The clear cold oil retains sufficient to act as an efficient rubefacient but not as an epispastic. One part of cantharidin requires 70 parts of oil of turpentine to dissolve it at the boiling temperature, the greater part separating, as the solution cools, in long asbestos-like needles. A piece of paper saturated with the cold solution and applied to the skin under adhesive plaster did not vesicate. Acetone (from the distillation of acetate of lime) dissolves cantharidin with great readiness and ranks next to chloroform in this regard. The solution deposits the substance in crystals by evaporation. The commercial methylic alcohol or wood naphtha also dissolves cantharidin, but to a much less extent than acetone. When acetic acid sp. gr. 1.41 (U. S. P.) is added to cantharidin, it but slightly acts on it in the cold; heat much increases its solvent power, which is lost on cooling and the substance deposited by standing, though not immediately. One part of cantharidin was mixed with 40 parts of _crystallizable_ acetic acid and agitated together during five hours, but a small percentage was dissolved; but on applying heat the crystals were dissolved quickly. On standing, nearly all of the cantharidin was slowly deposited in regular crystals. To ascertain whether, as has been asserted,[30] a combination was effected, and an _acetate_ of cantharidin produced, an acetic solution of cantharidin was evaporated to dryness and the crystals mixed with strong sulphuric acid and heated till dissolved, while the nose was held near, without the slightest evidence of acetic odor; one twentieth of a grain of acetate of potassa was then added, which instantly evolved the well marked smell of acetic acid. Formic acid dissolves but a trace of cantharidin, cold or hot; and muriatic acid sp. gr. 1.18 hardly can be said to act on it in the cold, but when boiling a minute portion is taken up. The same is true of phosphoric acid dissolved in five parts water. Sulphuric acid sp. gr. 1.840, when heated readily dissolves pure cantharidin without being discolored, {358} and deposits it in crystals unchanged by cooling. Hot nitric acid sp. gr. 1.38, dissolves cantharidin readily, and deposits the greater part of it on cooling in brilliant crystals, unchanged. A concentrated solution of ammonia slowly dissolves cantharidin to a small extent, and yields it up on evaporation in crystals. Solutions of pottassa and of soda also dissolve this principle.

[30] New York Jour. Pharm. vol. 1. p. 72.

ITS VOLATILITY.—About ten grains of pure and perfectly dry cantharidin was spread on the pan of an Oertling’s balance, (sensitive to 1-150th of a grain,) and the equilibrium carefully adjusted with platina weights. After exposure for a week to the action of the air, a vessel of lime being present to keep the air dry, no change in the adjustment had occurred. To further test the volatility of cantharidin, a portion of it was put at the bottom of a dry test tube, through a paper funnel so as not to soil the sides, which was then fixed so as to dip half an inch in a mercurial bath having a thermometer suspended in it. It lost nothing appreciable after being kept at 212° F. for half an hour, no sublimate being visible with a lens. At 220° F. no visible effect was produced. Kept at 250° F. for twenty minutes, a very slow sublimation commenced. At 300° F. the vaporization was but slightly increased. The heat was then raised to 360° F., when the sublimation became more decided, yet still slow. Between 402° F. and 410° F. it fused, and rapidly sublimed at a few degrees higher. Cantharidin at this temperature volatilizes with great ease and condenses in beautiful well defined crystals like salicylic acid.

The specific gravity of cantharidin is considerable, as it sinks in nitric acid sp. gr. 1.38; it is exceedingly acrid; its powder applied to the skin with a little oil, produces speedy vesication, and taken internally it is an irritant poison of the most virulent kind.

Such are some of the more prominent characters of this remarkable substance, which exhibits a permanence and want of affinity extraordinary in an animal principle. Let us now see how far experiments with cantharidin as it exists in the flies in substance, correspond with its behaviour in an isolated state. {359}

1st. Is cantharidin, as it exists in Spanish flies, volatile at common temperatures, or at the temperature usually employed in making the cerate; and if so to what extent?

_a._ Six hundred grains of powdered cantharides were put into a quart flask, a pint of water poured on, and macerated two hours. The flask was then adapted to a glass tubulated receiver by means of a long glass tube, the joints made tight, and the tube refrigerated throughout its length by a current of cool water, the receiver itself being surrounded by water. A sand-bath heat was then applied and the materials in the flask kept boiling during several hours, until half a pint liquid had distilled. The product in the receiver was opalescent, with white particles floating through it, and had a strong odor of spanish flies. It was decanted into a bottle, and agitated repeatedly with half an ounce of chloroform, which dissolved the particles and removed the opalescence. The chloroform, when separated with a funnel, and evaporated spontaneously, yielded a colorless semi-crystalline residue, having a waxy consistence and a strong odor different from that of the flies. It fused at 120° Fahr., was volatile _per se_, but was partially decomposed and condensed in drops which subsequently solidified. This substance is soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform, is decomposed and dissolved by sulphuric acid, produces _no signs of vesication after forty-eight hours’ contact with the skin_ under adhesive plaster, and is most probably the same volatile principle that has been noticed by Orfila.

The long glass tube was then examined for a sublimate, by rinsing it thoroughly with chloroform, which, on evaporation, afforded more of the same substance obtained from the distilled water, and like it did not produce vesication.

This experiment shows conclusively that cantharidin _does not volatilize to an appreciable extent with water evaporating from cantharides_.

_b._ More water was added to the residue in the flask, again boiled for fifteen minutes and thrown on a displacing filter, and water added to the solid residue, after the decoction had {360} ceased to pass, until the absorbed liquid was displaced. The decoction was much less odorous than the distilled water, and had a deep reddish-brown color. Half of this was agitated repeatedly with chloroform. The latter decanted and evaporated yielded a crop of crystals intermixed with some coloring matter. A part of these heated in a tube over a lamp, gave immediately the brilliant crystaline sublimate of cantharidin well marked; another portion applied to the skin produced vesication in a few hours.

The other half of the decoction was evaporated to a soft extract by direct heat. This produced speedy and deep vesication, more effectual than that of pure cantharidin, as in the extract that principle was in a soluble state by virtue of the yellow matter of the flies.

_c._ The residual flies were then dried carefully and exhausted with ether, which assumed a deep green color. A green semi-fluid fatty oil was obtained by evaporation, from which a fluid yellow oil separated by standing, which produced a tardy vesication, not comparable with the aqueous extract.

_d._ One hundred grains of flies in powder were introduced into a test tube so as not to soil the sides. This was then kept at the temperature of 212° F. during six hours, by causing it to dip into a vessel of boiling water through a tin plate. The hygrometric water was removed as it condensed above. At the end of the experiment a minute deposit of microscopic crystals less than one thirtieth of a grain, was observed above the flies on the side of the tube.

_e._ Two hundred grains of flies were introduced into a two ounce retort, which they half filled, adapted to a two ounce receiver, and this again connected with a third vessel. The retort heated by a mercurial bath, was kept at 225° F., for two hours, without any product except a little odorous hygrometric water. The heat was then raised to 412° F., when a colorless oily matter flowed slowly into the receiver, mixed with water, whilst a crystalline matter mixed with oil collected in the neck. This crystalline matter mixed with the oil produced {361} vesication when applied to the skin. The heat was now rapidly increased so as to produce brown vapors, from which was condensed a dark colored empyreumatic oil, abundant crystals of an ammonical salt collected in the tubes and on the sides of the receiver, whilst the aqueous liquor in the receiver was strongly ammonical. Neither the dark oil nor the crystals produced vesication, the high temperature having probably decomposed the cantharidin.

From these experiments it must be admitted that cantharidin is less volatile than has been asserted. The effect produced on the eye of the pupil of Robiquet who was watching the crystallization of cantharidin during the evaporation of an ethereal solution, may be accounted for by the mechanical action of the dense ethereal vapor escaping near his eye, as he watched the process with a lens, carrying off some particles of cantharidin; and the readiness with which this principle may be brought mechanically in contact with the skin of the face, during a series of experiments, by want of care, will easily account for the occasional testimony of writers in favor of its volatility at low temperatures based on that kind of evidence. During the whole of the experiments detailed in this paper, the author has not experienced any inconvenience to his eyes or face except in two instances, once when decomposing cantharides by destructive distillation, during which some of the vapors escaped near his person, and again where a small capsule containing aqueous extract of cantharides was accidentally exposed to high temperature over a lamp so as to partially decompose it; he suffered slight pain for a few hours in the conjunctiva of both eyes.

It must also be admitted that the heat ordinarily employed in making the blistering cerate of the United States Pharmacopœia, does not injure the preparation by volatilizing the cantharidin, and that the recommendation to digest the flies in the melted vehicle on a water bath is not only not injurious, but decidedly advantageous, as it increases, many fold, the solvent power of the fatty matter. {362}

2d. Having ascertained the solvent powers of olive oil, oil of turpentine and acetic acid, on pure cantharidin, the following experiments were made with those menstrua, and with water, on the flies in substance:

_a._ One hundred grains of powdered cantharides were mixed with two hundred grains of olive oil in a large test tube, which was corked, and the mixture heated in a boiling water bath during four hours, with occasional agitation. The contents of the tube were then poured into a small glass displacement apparatus, surrounded with water kept hot by a lamp, and the saturated oil gradually displaced, without cooling, by the addition of fresh portions of oil. The oily liquid thus obtained had a deep green color, smelled strongly of the flies, and when applied to the skin produced full vesication in about twelve hours contact. After standing twenty-four hours shining needles of cantharidin gradually separated, but not in quantity.

_b._ One hundred grains of powdered flies were mixed with two hundred grains of pure oil of turpentine in a closed tube, heated in a boiling water bath four hours, and displaced while hot as in the preceding experiment. The terebinthinate solution had a dull yellow color, and was perfectly transparent as it passed, but in a short time numerous minute stellated crystals commenced forming, which increased in quantity by standing. The saturated cold solution, separated from the crystals after standing twenty-four hours, did not blister when applied to the skin.

_c._ One hundred grains of powdered flies were digested in a close vessel, at the temperature of boiling water, in three hundred grains of acetic acid sp. gr. 1.041, for six hours, and then subjected to displacement in the hot filter above noticed. A dark reddish-brown transparent liquid passed, which had very little odor of flies, even when a portion was exposed until the acetic acid had nearly all evaporated. A portion of this liquid applied to the skin produced complete vesication in about ten hours. After standing a few hours, numerous minute {363} granular crystals were deposited, which gradually increased in amount and size.

These three experiments prove that hot fatty matter is a good solvent for cantharidin as it exists in the flies, and that it retains more on cooling than either turpentine or acetic acid. That hot oil of turpentine is a good solvent for extracting cantharidin, although it does not retain much on cooling, and that officinal acetic acid at the temperature of 212° F. will remove cantharidin readily from Spanish flies, but retains but a part on cooling.

_d._ Five hundred grains of recently powdered flies, contained in a flask, were boiled in a pint of water, for an hour, and the clear decoction decanted, the residue again treated with half a pint of water, so as to remove all matter soluble in that liquid. The decoctions were mixed, filtered, and evaporated carefully to dryness. The extract was exhausted by repeated treatment with boiling alcohol, which left a dark colored pulpy matter, very soluble in water, from which it is precipitated by subacetate of lead. The alcoholic solution was now evaporated to a syrup, and on cooling yielded a yellow extract like mass, interspersed with numerous minute four-sided prisms. By washing a portion with water, the yellow matter was removed, leaving the crystals white and pure. The aqueous washings yielded by evaporation a residue of crystals, and does not vesicate. When the alcoholic extract was treated with chloroform the crystals were dissolved, and the yellow matter left. On evaporating the chloroform solution the crystals were re-obtained with all the characters of cantharidin. The matter left by chloroform was now treated with water, in which it dissolved, except a trace of dark substance, and was again evaporated carefully. It afforded a yellow honey-like residue, thickly interspersed with crystals and strongly acid to litmus, without vesicating power.

A portion of the yellow matter separated from the alcoholic extract by water was boiled with some cantharidin, filtered and evaporated. The residue treated with chloroform afforded no {364} cantharidin; hence it would appear that although the yellow matter enables the cantharidin to dissolve in water and cold alcohol, when once separated its solvent power ceases.

Having now studied the effects of the ordinary solvents on cantharidin in a free state, and in the condition in which it exists in the insect, we are prepared to consider with some clearness, the pharmaceutical preparations of the Spanish fly, and their action as vesicants.

_a._ If 1-30th of a grain of pure cantharidin, in fine powder, be placed on the skin of the arm and covered with a piece of warmed adhesive plaster, active vesication occurs in eight hours, with pain. If the same quantity of cantharidin be put on the other arm, a small piece of paper be laid over it, and then a piece of adhesive plaster with a circular hole in it be applied, so as to hold on the paper, no vesication occurs in sixteen hours, the powder remaining dry. If then a large piece of plaster be put over the whole, at the end of eight hours more no blistering action will have taken place. If now a trace of olive oil be applied to the back of the paper covering the cantharidin, and the plaster replaced, speedy vesication will occur. These experiments prove that cantharidin must be in solution to have its vesicating action, and that oily matter is a proper medium.

_b._ When powdered flies are stirred into the ordinary vehicle of resin, wax, and lard, so as to chill it almost immediately as was formerly directed, but little of the cantharidin is dissolved by the fatty matter, and when applied to the skin the process of vesication is retarded. If, however, the cerate be kept fluid for a length of time, say for half an hour, by a water-bath or other regular heat, no loss of cantharidin occurs by the heat, the active principle is in a great measure dissolved by the fat, and every part is impregnated and active. In the foregoing experiments it has been shown that twenty parts of olive oil will dissolve one of cantharidin when hot. If we admit with Thierry that cantharides contain but four thousandths of their weight of cantharidin, the quantity contained in a {365} pound of cerate is about _eight_ grains, whilst the lard in the same weight of cerate is 1600 grains, or two hundred times the weight of that principle, not to speak of the influence of the wax and resin, which, in union, with the melted lard, act as solvents. Hence the whole of the cantharidin may be dissolved by the vehicle. Another advantage of employing a continued heat in digestion is the removal of the hygrometric water from the flies, which is the source of the mouldiness to which the cerate is prone in certain conditions.

In a former essay (Amer. Journ. Pharm., vol. xiii, p. 302,) I have advocated digestion in making this cerate, (a recommendation also made by Mr. Donovan, of Dublin, about the same time,) and also the use of a portion of the oil of turpentine to facilitate the solution of the cantharidin, but the foregoing experiments prove that fatty matter is quite as good, if not a better solvent alone than with turpentine.

_c._ It has been asserted long ago by Beaupoil, Robiquet and others, that water will perfectly extract the active matter from Spanish flies, which these experiments corroborate. Hence it is easy to understand how the condensed perspiration may facilitate the action of a blister, especially when, as was formerly much the case, its surface is coated with the dust of the flies, and the skin moistened.

It is also clear why the Unguentum Cantharidis of the United States Pharmacopœia is active although made with a decoction of flies, yet, in this preparation, care should be observed not to evaporate all the water, as on the existence of the aqueous extract in a soft state depends much of the efficiency of the preparation as an irritant dressing.

_d._ In the Linimentum Cantharidis, United States Pharm., in which an ounce of flies is digested in eight fluid ounces of oil of turpentine, the cantharidin is to be the menstruum as 1 to 1500, a proportion probably quite sufficient to retain it in solution. The importance of the officinal direction to digest is evident. It is quite doubtful whether this liniment, as made by the process of Dr. Joseph Hartshorne, one part of flies to {366} three parts of oil, will retain all the cantharidin after standing awhile.

_e._ The Acetum Cantharidis, (Lond. Ph.) made by macerating an ounce of flies in ten fluid ounces of acetic acid, 1.48, has been criticised by Mr. Redwood, (Pharm. Journal, Oct. 1841,) who arrived at the conclusion that it owed its vesicating power almost solely to the acid, he not being able to discover cantharidin in it. The inefficiency of _cold_ acetic acid as a solvent for _pure_ cantharidin has been proven by the above experiments, and its efficiency when hot equally shown. There can be little doubt that the London preparation would be much improved by _digesting_ the flies in the acid for an hour in a close glass vessel at the temperature of boiling water.

_f._ The _cantharidal collodion_ of M. Ilisch has been considerably used as a vesicant in this country. Ether being a good solvent for cantharidin readily keeps that principle in solution. When applied to the skin, the escape of the ether leaves a coating of ethereal extract of cantharides, admixed with collodion. This preparation sometimes fails from a deficiency of cantharidin, at other times from want of a sufficient body in the collodion excipient, and it has been found more advantageous to treat the cantharides with ether till exhausted, distill off the ether, and add the oily residue to collodion of the proper consistence. The addition of a little olive oil, and of Venice turpentine, as recommended by Mr. Rand, will give more activity to the preparation, especially if a piece of oiled silk or adhesive plaster be applied over the part.

_g._ Besides these, many other epispastic preparations are made in France and other countries. The acetic alcoholic extract of cantharides of Ferrari is made by digesting four parts of cantharides in sixteen parts of alcohol 36° B. mixed with one part of acetic acid 10° B. In the opinion of the author, the acetic acid tends to prevent the crystallization of the cantharidin, a statement rendered doubtful by the above experiments, as that principle separates in crystals from an acetic solution of cantharides. The alcohol dissolves the green oil {367} which gives to the extract a butyraceous consistence. This is undoubtedly an efficient preparation, and is used by spreading it on paper with a brush, and applying to the skin. Nearly all the French preparations direct digestion of from 2 to 6 hours, showing evidently that the experience of pharmaceutists is opposed to the opinion that cantharides is “a very volatile substance, even at common temperatures.”

The vesicating tafeta of the Codex, is that proposed by Messrs. Henry & Guibourt, and is made by fusing together one part of the ethereal extract of cantharides and two of wax, and spreading it on waxed paper or linen in the manner of adhesive plaster. This preparation is said to lose its efficiency by exposure to the air. How can this occur in view of the results which have been detailed above? admitting the fact, it is not probable that the change lies in the strong tendency of the cantharidin to separate in crystals? a change easily observable in the ethereal extract. This is the chief objection to some otherwise excellent preparations of cantharides for vesication, and it is far more probably the true explanation, than, that volatility should be the cause.

The recently prepared and soft aqueous extract of cantharides has been shown to be a powerful epispastic. Will this extract of the consistence of honey, associated with sufficient acetic acid, alcohol, or acetone, to preserve it, keep without the gradual separation of the cantharidin? If so, it will undoubtedly prove one of the very best blistering agents, as by simply applying a covering of it over the surface of waxed paper, or adhesive plaster, with a camel’s-hair brush, a perfect blistering plaster can be made quickly and neatly, and all tendency to change of aggregation by the action of the air on the menstruum avoided. This is a question now under trial, and should it result favorably, a formula will be published. The extraordinary tendency of cantharidin to crystallize, even under the most adverse circumstances, taken in connection with its insolubility, _per se_, has hardly received sufficient attention from pharmaceutists as a cause of the deterioration of {368} cantharidal preparations, and the discovery of a menstruum, that will retain that principle in solution for an indefinite period, is a problem yet to be solved, and worthy the attention of pharmaceutical investigators.

Philadelphia, September, 1852.

ON GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS OR YELLOW JASSAMIN.

BY WILLIAM PROCTER, JR.

Considerable attention has recently been turned to the Yellow Jassamin of our Southern States, from the accidental discovery of certain remarkable effects produced by it when taken internally. A planter of Mississippi having suffered much from a tedious attack of bilious fever, which resisted the usual medicines employed in such cases, requested one of his servants to obtain from the garden a certain root, from which he intended to prepare an infusion for drinking. By mistake, the person sent collected a different root, and administered the tea to his master, who, soon after taking it, was seized with a complete loss of muscular power, being, in fact, so completely prostrated as to be unable to move a limb or to raise the eyelids, yet he could hear, and could appreciate what was occurring around him. After some hours, during which his friends were watching him with much anxiety and little hope, he gradually recovered his muscular control, and was astonished to find that the fever had left him. Having ascertained from his servant what plant he had collected, he subsequently employed it successfully on his own plantation as well as among his neighbors. The history becoming known to a quackish physician, he prepared from it a nostrum called the “Electrical Febrifuge,” in {369} which, it was disguised by oil of winter-green, (_Eclectic_ Dispensatory, page 186.)

The Gelseminum is not noticed by Dr. Griffith in his Medical Botany, nor in the recent edition of the United States Dispensatory, and so far appears to have been used chiefly by the “Eclectic” practitioners of Cincinnati and other parts of the Western States. The accompanying description of the plant is taken partly from a specimen sent from Memphis, Tennessee, where, in common with other parts of the south-western States, it is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant.

The Gelseminum belongs to the natural order Apocyneæ, so remarkable for the great activity of many of its genera, and the name of the genus, given by Jussieu, is one of the ancient names of the jessamine, and that of the species arises from its evergreen foliage.

GELSEMINUM belongs to Pentandria Digynia of Linnæus, and to the natural order Apocyneæ of Jussieu.

_Generic characters._—Regular, calyx five parted, (the sepals of this species being furnished with bract-like appendages) carolla funnel-form, border spreading, five lobed, nearly equal, capsule compressed, flat, two partible, two-celled, seeds flat and attached to the margins of the valves, (Eaton.)

_Specific characters._—The G. sempervirens is known at the South under the names yellow jasmine, wild jasmine, and woodbine. In Florida it flowers in March, and in Mississippi and Tennessee in May and June. Its stem is twining, smooth and glabrous; its leaves are opposite, perennial, lanceolate, entire, dark green above, paler beneath; with short petioles. The flowers, which are esteemed poisonous, are yellow, about an inch long and half an inch wide at the top, of a fine yellow color, and have an agreeable odor, which perfumes the air when they bloom. It grows luxuriantly, climbing from tree to tree, forming a delightful shade. According to Eaton, from whose botany we glean part of the above botanical notice, there is a variety called inodorum which has scentless flowers.

The Gelseminum is indigenous to the Southern States, and its beauty has caused its introduction into the gardens. {370}

_Medical properties and uses._—The root is the part used, and the tincture is the preparation most usually employed, and, as made, must be a saturated tincture. The roots, in a green state, well bruised, are introduced into a suitable vessel, and covered with whiskey, or diluted alcohol. After standing two weeks, the tincture is separated by expression and filtered. It has a dark red color, and a pleasant bitter taste. The dose is from ten to fifty drops. The following account of its medical properties and effects is taken from a paper in the “Eclectic Medical Journal,” August, 1852, page 353, by F. D. Hill of Cincinnati:

“Gelseminum is stimulant, tonic, and anti-spasmodic. By its relaxing effect it produces gentle diaphoresis, and is said to be _narcotic_. Its effect in large doses, or doses too frequently repeated, is extreme relaxation, and general prostration of the whole muscular and nervous system. It will suspend and hold in check muscular irritability and nervous excitement with more force and power than any known remedy. It is of a pleasant bitter taste, and performs its wonder-working cures, in all febrile diseases, without exciting either nausea, vomiting, or purging. When enough has been given to produce its specific effect, the eye is dimmed, the vision clouded and double, the head light and dizzy. When these effects follow the administration of this remedy, no more should be given until the patient has entirely recovered from its influence. ‘It maybe used in all species of fevers, nervous and bilious headache, colds, pneumonia, hemorrhages, leucorrhea, chorea, ague-cake, asthma, and many other diseases: but its efficacy has been most admired in all forms and grades of fevers.’ It should always be used with great care and caution. The root is said to possess a resinous principle, which, when extracted by pure alcohol, will produce death in very small doses. But no such effect need be expected from the proper dose of the common tincture. There is danger of carrying it to such an extent as to suspend involuntary muscular action, and when this is the case, death must ensue. ‘It is incompatible with no known substance, and may follow any _preceeding treatment with perfect safety_.’ The dose is forty drops for an adult, and children in proportion to age and temperament. It is given either with or without quinine. It has been used alone for _chronic rheumatism_, in doses of forty drops, three times a day, with marked effects. Three or four doses, with a mild cathartic, will remove the redness and swelling attending inflamed sore eyes. Special attention should be directed to the general health and constitution of the patient before giving gelseminum. If the bowels be constipated they should be moved by a gentle aperient, and kept in a relaxed condition. It requires double the quantity to produce the effect on some that it does on others; and should the practitioner ever produce too great a degree of relaxation, he should lose no time in stimulating and toning up his patient.” {371}

The alleged effects of this plant on the human system, taken in connection with its medico-botanical relations, mark it out as being probably one of the most valuable of our indigenous remedial agents, and render it well worthy of the investigation of regular physicians.

ON THE MANUFACTURE OF WRITING INKS.

(_Concluded from page 316._)

Prussian blue, that has not undergone digestion in acid in the way above pointed out, will require a much larger proportion of oxalic acid, from twice to three times its weight; and even then it will be greatly liable to precipitation after standing; but when treated in the way described, it is not liable to precipitate, but remains a permanent solution.

STEPHENS’ RED INK.—Stephens’ red ink is prepared as follows:—Take a quantity of common soda, potash or carbonate of ammonia, to which is to be added, at intervals, twice its weight of crude argol in powder.

When the effervescence, arising from this combination, has ceased, pour off the solution, or filter it from the insoluble matter; to this, add by measure half the quantity of oxalate of alumina, or oxalo-phosphate of alumina, prepared by adding to precipitated alumina or phosphate of alumina, in a damp state, as much oxalic acid as will dissolve. Into this mixture, put, when cold, as much cochineal, first bruised or powdered, as will give it a fine red color, varying the quantity according to the shade of color required; and after letting it stand for the space of forty eight hours, strain it off for use.

PROFESSOR RUNGE’S WRITING FLUID.—One of the least expensive formulas for the manufacture of a writing ink, is that given by Professor Runge, who says: “I have for some time {372} endeavored to find a black fluid possessing the properties of forming no deposit, of adhering strongly to the paper, of being unaffected by acids, and lastly, what is of great importance, not acted upon by steel pens.

“After many experiments, I have succeeded in obtaining a composition of the kind required, very simple in its preparation, containing nothing but logwood, chromate of potash, and water, and free from vinegar, gum, copperas, blue vitriol, and even nutgalls. The low price of this writing fluid is also in its favor. It is prepared by simply adding one part of chromate of potash to 1000 parts of decoction of logwood, made by boiling twenty-two pounds of logwood in a sufficient quantity of water to give fourteen gallons of decoction; to this decoction, when cold, the chromic salt is gradually added, and the mixture well stirred. The addition of gum is injurious. In the preparation of this ink, it must be remembered that the yellow chromate and not the bi-carbonate of potash is employed, and great care is required to ensure due adjustment of the relative proportions of the ingredients used. The best way is to make a decoction of logwood, and _gradually_ add to it, well stirring the mixture, as much solution of chromate as will give the shade required.

“It appears astonishing what a small quantity of the chrome salt is required to convert a large quantity of decoction of logwood into a black writing fluid; the fact is however certain, and care must be taken not to allow the proportion of chrome salt to exceed half a part for each 500 parts of decoction of logwood, as a larger quantity exercises a prejudicial effect in destroying the coloring matter of the liquid, whilst in the proportion above mentioned, a deep blue black writing ink is formed, which, unlike the ink made with tannogallate of iron, is perfectly fluid, forming no deposit. This writing fluid possesses another advantage; the paper which has been written upon with it may be washed with a sponge, or be left twenty-four hours under water, without the writing being effaced. Weak acids do not destroy the writing, nor do they even change the {373} shade, whilst that made with gallnuts is effaced, and the ink prepared with logwood and copperas is turned red.

“New steel pens are coated with a greasy substance, which prevents the ready flow of the ink; this should, therefore, be removed previous to use by moistening the pens with saliva, and then washing them in water. The application of an alkaline solution is still preferable to remove this greasy matter. The cleansing of the steel pens is absolutely essential in the case of using the ink above mentioned. I have used this ink upwards of two years, and my steel pens are not in the least degree affected. No rust is formed on the pens, so that after years of service the only wear experienced is that from constant use on the paper, thus rendering unnecessary the use of pens tipped with iridium and other hard substances.”

ON THE GROWTH OF VARIOUS KINDS OF MOULD IN SYRUP.

Professor Balfour, the Professor of Botany in the University of Edinburgh, has read a valuable paper on this subject, at the Botanical Society in that city, in which he states that mould of various kinds, when placed in syrup, has a tendency to spread out and form a flat, gelatinous, and leathery expansion. This he shows by experiments, as follows:—Mould that had grown upon an apple was put into syrup; and in the course of two months there was formed upon the syrup a cellular, flat, expanded mass, while the syrup was converted into vinegar.

Mould that had grown upon a pear was also put into syrup, and the same result was produced. He also experimented in the same manner with various moulds that were growing upon bread, tea, and some other vegetable substances; the effect {374} produced, in most cases, was to cause a fermentation, resulting in the production of vinegar. In another experiment, a quantity of raw sugar, treacle, and water, were put into a jar, without any mould being introduced. When examined, after a lapse of four or five months, a growth like that of the vinegar plant was visible, and vinegar was formed. This plant was removed, and put into fresh syrup, which was followed again by the production of vinegar. It appears that, when purified white sugar only is used to make syrup, the plant, when placed in it, does not produce vinegar so speedily; the length of time required for the changes varying from four to six months. Dr. Balfour thinks this may possibly be owing, to the presence of some ingredient in the raw sugar and treacle, which may tend to promote the production of vinegar.

In connection with this subject, I may refer to the _Vinegar Plant_, which is considered by some eminent botanists to be an unnatural and peculiar form of some fungus. This plant, which has a tough gelatinous consistence, when put into a mixture of treacle, sugar and water, gives rise to an acetous fermentation. The vinegar, which is the result of this acetous fermentation, is of a syrupy nature; and when evaporated to dryness, a large quantity of saccharine matter is left. Various conjectures have been hazarded as to the origin of this vinegar plant; some stating that it came from South America, or other distant regions; and others that it is a spontaneous production. Dr. Lindley is of opinion that it is a peculiar form of _penicillum glaucum_, or common blue-mould. The general opinion appears to be, that it is in an anomalous state of mould, or of some fungus: and the peculiar form and consistence it assumes on different occasions, seems to depend upon the nature of the material in, or upon which, it makes its appearance.

{375}

CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION.

_Whereas_, The advancement of pharmaceutical knowledge and the elevation of the professional character of apothecaries and druggists throughout the United States are objects that are dear to us in common with all well disposed pharmaceutists; and, _whereas_, a large portion of those in whose hands the practice of pharmacy now exists, are not properly qualified for the responsible offices it involves, chiefly by reason of the many difficulties that impede the acquirement of a correct knowledge of their business;―

_Therefore_, We, the members of a Convention now met at Philadelphia, composed of apothecaries and druggists from different sections of the Union, and from all the Colleges and Societies therein existing, with the object of deliberating on the condition of our profession, _do_ hereby resolve and constitute ourselves into a permanent asociation, to meet annually at such times and places as may hereafter be determined, for more effectually accomplishing the objects for which we are now assembled; and do now adopt the following CONSTITUTION:

SECTION 1.

This association shall be called “_The American Pharmaceutical Association_.”

SECTION 2. _Of the Members._

_Article_ I. All pharmaceutists and druggists who shall have attained the age of twenty-one years, whose character, morally and professionally, is fair, and who, after duly considering the obligations of the Constitution and Code of Ethics of this Association are willing to subscribe to them, shall be eligible for membership.

_Article_ II. The members shall consist of delegates from regularly constituted Colleges of Pharmacy, and Pharmaceutical Societies, who shall present properly authorized credentials, and of other reputable Pharmaceutists feeling an interest in the objects of the Association, who may not be so delegated, the latter being required to present a certificate signed by a majority of the delegates from the places whence they come. If no such delegates are present at the Association, they may, on obtaining the certificates of any three members of the {376} Association, be admitted, provided they be introduced by the committee on credentials.

_Article_ III. All persons who become members of this Association shall be considered as permanent members, but may be expelled for improper conduct by a vote of two thirds of the members present at any annual meeting.

_Article_ IV. Every member in attendance at the annual meetings shall pay into the hands of the Treasurer the sum of two dollars as his yearly contribution.

_Article_ V. Every local Pharmaceutical Association shall be entitled to five delegates.

SECTION III. _Of the Officers._

The officers of this association shall be a President, three Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of three, which may include any of the members except the President, all of whom shall be elected annually.

_Article_ I. The President shall preside at the meetings and preserve order. He shall nominate all committees, except a majority of the members present direct a resort to balloting or other means. He shall sign all certificates of membership, approve of all foreign correspondence, and countersign all orders on the Treasurer drawn by the Executive Committee. And he shall, at least three months previously to the annual meeting publish a call in all the pharmaceutical and in such medical and other Journals as he may select, stating therein the objects of the Association, and the conditions of membership.

_Article_ II. In case of the temporary absence, or inability of the President, his duties shall devolve on one of the Vice Presidents.

_Article_ III. The Recording Secretary shall keep fair and correct minutes of the proceedings of the Association. He shall keep a roll book of the members, and see that it is corrected annually, and he shall furnish to the Executive Committee a correct transcript of the minutes of the meeting for publication in the Transactions of the Association.

_Article_ IV. The Corresponding Secretary shall attend to the official correspondence directed by the association with other bodies, or with its members, all of which correspondence shall be approved by the President. {377}

_Article_ V. The Treasurer shall receive and take care of the funds of the Association; shall pay its money only on the order of the Executive Committee, countersigned by the President; and shall present a statement of his accounts annually that they may be audited.

_Article_ VI. The Executive Committee shall take charge of the publication of the proceedings of the Association, including such papers on scientific subjects as it may direct to be published; attend to their distribution; pay the expenses incurred on behalf of the Association at its meetings or in the interim, and report a statement of their transactions to the next meeting.

SECTION IV. _Of the Meetings._

_Article_ I. The meetings shall be held annually, at such time and place as shall be determined at the adjournment of the previous meeting, observing that no two meetings shall be held consecutively at the same place.

_Article_ II. The meetings shall be organized by the President of the previous year, or, in his absence, by either of the Vice Presidents in the order of their election, or, in their absence, by the Recording Secretary, who shall act _pro tempore_ until the nomination and election of officers for the session.

_Article_ III. Immediately after the temporary organization of the Association the roll shall be called, when a committee on credentials shall be appointed from the _members_ present, to whom the certificates of delegates shall be submitted, and who shall examine the claims of all other applicants for membership before they are submitted to the Association.

SECTION V.

This Constitution may be altered or amended by a vote of three-fourths of the members present at any regular meeting, and notice to alter or amend the same shall be given at least one sitting before a vote thereupon.

{378}

CODE OF ETHICS OF THE AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION.

The American Pharmaceutical Association, composed of Pharmaceutists and Druggists throughout the United States, feeling a strong interest in the success and advancement of their profession in its practical and scientific relations, and also impressed with the belief that no amount of knowledge and skill will protect themselves and the public from the ill effects of an undue competition, and the temptations to gain at the expense of quality, unless they are upheld by high moral obligations in the path of duty, have subscribed to the following _Code of Ethics_ for the government of their professional conduct.

ART. I. As the practice of pharmacy can only become uniform by an open and candid intercourse being kept up between apothecaries and druggists among themselves and each other, by the adoption of the National Pharmacopœia as a guide in the preparation of officinal medicines, by the discontinuance of secret formulæ and the practices arising from a quackish spirit, and by an encouragement of that _esprit du corps_ which will prevent a resort to those disreputable practices arising out of an injurious and wicked competition;—_Therefore_, the members of this Association agree to uphold the use of the Pharmacopœia in their practice; to cultivate brotherly feeling among the members, and to discountenance quackery and dishonorable competition in their business.

ART. II. As labor should have its just reward, and as the skill, knowledge and responsibility required in the practice of pharmacy are great, the remuneration of the pharmaceutist’s services should be proportioned to these, rather than to the market value of preparations vended. The rate of charges will necessarily vary with geographical position, municipal location, and other circumstances of a permanent character, but a resort to intentional and unnecessary reduction in the rate of charges among apothecaries, with a view to gaining at the expense of their brethren, is strongly discountenanced by this Association as productive of evil results.

ART. III. The first duty of the apothecary, after duly preparing himself for his profession, being to procure good drugs and prepartions, (for without these his skill and knowledge are of small avail,) he frequently has to rely on the good faith of the druggists for their selection. {379} Those druggists whose knowledge, skill and integrity enable them to conduct their business faithfully, should be encouraged, rather than those who base their claims to patronage on the cheapness of their articles solely. When accidentally or otherwise, a deteriorated, or adulterated drug or medicine is sent to the apothecary, he should invariably return it to the druggist, with a statement of its defects. What is too frequently considered as a mere error of trade on the part of the druggist becomes a _highly culpable_ act when countenanced by the apothecary; hence, when repetitions of such frauds occur, they should be exposed for the benefit of the profession. A careful but firm pursuit of this course would render well-disposed druggists more careful, and deter the fraudulently inclined from a resort to their disreputable practices.

ART. IV. As the practice of pharmacy is quite distinct from the practice of medicine, and has been found to flourish in proportion as its practitioners have confined their attention to its requirements; and as the conducting of the business of both professions by the same individual involves pecuniary temptations which are often not compatible with a conscientious discharge of duty; we consider that the members of this Association should discountenance all such professional amalgamation; and in conducting business at the counter, should avoid prescribing for diseases when practicable, referring applicants for medical advice to the physician. We hold it as unprofessional and highly reprehensible for apothecaries to allow any per centage or commission to physicians on their prescriptions, as unjust to the public, and hurtful to the independence and self-respect of both parties concerned. We also consider that the practice of some physicians, (in places where good apothecaries are numerous) of obtaining medicines at low prices from the latter, and selling them to their patients, is not only unjust and unprofessional, but deserving the censure of all high-minded medical men.

ART. V. The important influence exerted on the practice of pharmacy by the large proportion of physicians who have resigned its duties and emoluments to the apothecary, are reasons why he should seek their favorable opinion and cultivate their friendship, by earnest endeavors to furnish their patients with pure and well-prepared medicines. As physicians are liable to commit errors in writing their prescriptions, involving serious consequences to health and reputation if {380} permitted to leave the shop, the apothecary should always, when he deems an error has been made, consult the physician before proceeding; yet in the delay which must necessarily occur, it is his duty, when possible, to accomplish the interview without compromising the reputation of the physician. On the other hand, when apothecaries commit errors involving ill consequences, the physician, knowing the constant liability to error, should feel bound to screen them from undue censure, unless the result of a culpable negligence.

ART. VI. As we owe a debt of gratitude to our predecessors for the researches and observations which have so far advanced our scientific art, we hold that every apothecary and druggist is bound to contribute his mite towards the same fund, by noting the new ideas and phenomena which may occur in the course of his business, and publishing them, when of sufficient consequence, for the benefit of the profession.

VARIA—EDITORIAL.

THE JOURNAL.—With the present number, the first volume of the Journal is completed. In a pecuniary point of view its success has fully equalled the expectations of its originators; it is no longer an experiment, but is established on a firm basis, and will be continued with increased energy and a larger experience in the art of journalism. We have tried to keep faithfully in view the objects with which the Journal was commenced; while we have endeavored to present to our readers whatever of general interest or importance has been published abroad, we have the gratification to believe that some contributions to the general stock have first appeared in our pages which would otherwise never have seen the light. But those who confine the benefit of a journal solely to the information it imparts have but a limited view of its usefulness; an account of what is done abroad excites but little emulation compared with far humbler efforts made by our own friends, and in our own neighborhood, and the encouragement and promotion of such efforts is a large good, quite independent of the results that may be attained. The mere attempt to write on a subject like scientific pharmacy leads to a close scanning of the foundation of our opinions, to renewed experiments to ascertain their justness, to more enlightened views of the connection and bearing of our science. In this way we hope to see the good done by the {381} Journal greatly increased. The contributors to its pages have hitherto been but few in number, but its columns are open to all. They are controlled by no clique, are subservient to no views of merely personal advancement, and we will gladly, welcome communications from all quarters, judging of them only by their merit and usefulness.

THE DRUG INSPECTION LAW.

We had intended to have made some remarks on the debate which took place in the Convention regarding the admission of certain articles, under the law for the inspection of imported drugs, which, though possessing medicinal properties are, we believe, merely used for the purpose of adulterating other and better articles, but willingly give place to the subjoined communication from Dr. Guthrie, which, on the whole, advocates views similar to our own. With regard to the Carthagena barks, as they are termed, we confess to a desire for further information. Those barks vary very much from each other. Though not rich in quinia, some of them contain a large per centage of alkaloids, which are closely allied to it. We hope that the committee to whom the subject was referred by the Convention will not only cause proper analyses to be made of the commercial varieties of these barks, but will have experiments instituted regarding their comparative therapeutic value. The Hospitals of our country afford abundant cases of malarious disease, and, we have no doubt, the physicians attached to them would be ready to institute trials which would afford a satisfactory solution to this important question.

GEO. D. GOGGESHALL,

_My Dear Sir_,—The proceedings of the National Pharmaceutical Convention have just come to hand, and been perused by me, with no ordinary degree of interest.

You have known somewhat of my anxiety concerning these preliminary and forming stages of an Association of this character, and will readily believe that I have awaited the results of the late Convention, from which, most unfortunately for myself, I was compelled to be absent, with great solicitude. That solicitude has been relieved, and in its stead I have the assurance that a good foundation to a National structure has been laid, towards which hope points and expectation looks with joyous anticipations of future good.

I may be permitted to congratulate you upon the successful labors of the convention, and more especially upon the fact that you have avoided any untenable false ground both in the convention and organization of the Association.

That old stumbling block of “all drugs good of their kind,” in reference to our Drug Law, I see made its appearance again, but this time from a quarter I {382} little expected. But it had, notwithstanding its new paternity and eminent godfathership, only, so far as I can see, the same lame, diffuse and weak conclusions to back it.

I was the more surprised at seeing the resolution in the form offered as coming from my friend Dr. Stewart, of Baltimore, because I had considered him as one who held entirely opposite opinions, and from this fact, that in a communication made to me in January last, as special agent of the Treasury Department, charged with the examination of the practical workings of the Drug Law, he says, “I have inspected several hundred thousand dollars worth of one drug which requires some particular notice, as I understand your views and mine correspond with regard to it, and you have succeeded in arranging a uniform system of examination at the different ports.

The prominent principles upon which its value is based vary from about one to four per cent. The commercial article of the best varieties is graduated by the quantity of valuable element above referred to, but with regard to the inferior kinds this is not the case, as I have found upon repeated analyses that what are called bastard varieties (which are not used for extracting the valuable principles above referred to) _sell at_ higher prices in proportion to their resemblance to the _officinal kinds_. Even in cases where they contain no valuable medicinal constituents they are invoiced at 3 to 4 times the price of the other varieties on board the same vessel containing 3 per cent. Now if our object in this law is to discourage the introduction of those articles that are used for the purpose of adulterating medicines, it is manifest that the true interest of all will be served by admitting those only of the bastard varieties that are _equal_ to the inferior officinal varieties, particularly as they happen to be at a lower cost and are very abundant.” This is Dr. Stewart, Jan. 9, 1852. The whole of his report to me, a very interesting and able document, I intend publishing, and have delayed it for the purpose of accompanying it with some other matter of the same nature, not yet in hand.

If I understand him correctly, he took entirely opposite ground in the Convention, and I certainly shall look with no ordinary interest for some explanation of a change so entire, in one whose position and well earned reputation give him importance and great influence in the final settlement of this matter. What new light has shone upon his path? What new facts has he to offer? I say _final_ settlement, because I see by the appointment of a committee to whom the matter was referred, that the whole subject is but laid over. Although the convention negatived the resolution, as it did a _similar_ one a year ago in New York, they seem disposed to endow the question with as many lives as are fabled of the cat.

Notwithstanding all the reasoning of the author of the resolution, backed by the eminent professor, and aided by other reasons, thick no doubt as blackberries, you practical men who buy and sell these articles, were not convinced and never will be. They may cry out for “tooth powder,” until the demand for dentrifice shall quadruple, and tell us of the legitimate use of Carthagena or Maracaibo barks; (what is its legitimate use?) all in vain, for it is too well {383} known that the main use of the article is to adulterate the genuine barks. Why does the Drug examiner at Baltimore, Dr. Stewart, say that the “bastard varieties _sell at higher_ prices in proportion to their _resemblance to the officinal kinds_?” Why this demand for such as resemble the genuine, but to supply it to the buyers of Peruvian bark for the genuine and officinal. There can be no other conclusion. If more proof is wanting I take the remark of the gentleman from New-York, that the “house he was connected with sold large quantities in powder, and the parties purchasing did so knowing its origin.” No one could doubt this statement, at least as to the quantity annually purchased, who will go through half-a-dozen drug stores in any of the country villages or small towns any where in our country from Maine to Louisiana.

He will have offered prime, best quality cinchona bark for 40 to 100 cents almost any where, and in one half the cases the venders believe they are selling what they offer, for they bought it for that. Is this not so, or is it all bought for “tooth powder?” One half the druggists who go to our large cities, buy “pale yellow” and red bark, and never think to enquire for the inferior barks, and once drive these last from our seaboard cities, and we shall have done with them.

You are aware that I have had some opportunity of becoming acquainted with the drug trade of our country, and I assure you that throughout its length and breadth there is more worthless Peruvian bark sold and consumed by far than of the genuine, mostly, I hope through ignorance, but many times knowingly on the part of the dealer.

The same that has been said of these false barks, may be said of English rhubarb; when it is not sold for and in the place of Turkey, it is used to make powdered Turkey out of. But the resolution does not stop short at these two articles, as the discussion seemed to. There is “false jalap” undoubtedly good of its kind, but unfortunately for the buyer the kind is good for nothing, although it makes extract of jalap, that in looks cannot be told from the genuine.

There is also Egyptian opium, and a false Sarsaparilla and many other important drugs, that should have received the attention of the friends of this resolution, all of which, I beg to assure them, are undoubtedly good of their kind.

But I have written more than I designed by far, as the subject grows upon my hands, though I regard it a very important one, and vitally so to the drug law which lies at the very foundation of all beneficial results to grow out of this association, and the position of the association as to the whole subject is equally important, for if we unfortunately commit ourselves to a wrong principle in the start, and especially upon this standard of purity as applicable to our Drug examiners, which is now regarded as a test question by the community at large, we lose all hold upon their confidence, and with it all hope of effecting any good either to ourselves as a profession or to the community in general.

My chief object in addressing you this communication (intended for the New York Journal of Pharmacy, if you choose so to use it) is to record my experience as differing in toto from those of Dr. Stewart and Prof. Carson, and to elicit a full discussion of the whole matter. Let us have light! light! light enough to {384} settle this question, especially about the barks, for they are the source of this whole contention after all. There must be data enough to be had, upon which to form an opinion, and a correct one as to the medicinal virtues of Maracaibo, and Carthagena barks, as well as of English rhubarb, false jalap, Egyptian opium etc., etc.

I shall be perfectly satisfied if the labors of this committee result in fixing a definite standard of strength, or amount of alkaloids required to be found in barks before consumed for medicine, and therefore admissible under the act, but satisfied at nothing short of this, for till that is done there will never be any uniformity in the action of the law. I had designed to make some remarks upon the requirements of the law and its needed emendation which I must defer to more leisure.

Yours, etc., C. B. GUTHRIE.

Memphis, Tenn., November 2, 1852.

A DISCOURSE ON THE TIMES, CHARACTER AND WRITINGS OF HIPPOCRATES, READ BEFORE THE TRUSTEES, FACULTY AND MEDICAL CLASS OF THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS, AT THE OPENING OF THE TERM, 1852, BY ELISHA BARTLETT, M. D., PROFESSOR OF MATERIA MEDICA, AND MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE. Published by the Class.

Introductory lectures are generally very common-place affairs. Custom has prescribed that every year the different medical schools shall be opened with them; and custom, too, has prescribed for them a certain limited range of topics. Year after year, in a hundred places, the same round is gone over, and the same good advice is listened to, and neglected. Dr. Bartlett has broken through all this. He has chosen for the subject of his discourse the Character and Writings of the Father of Medicine, and he has illustrated them well and thoroughly. This is not the place for a detailed notice of the lecture. Yet we cannot but call attention to the playful humour, the kindly and genial spirit which set off and enliven its details, and which, breathing from the whole air and features of the man, render him one of the most agreeable lecturers to whom we have ever listened.

EXCHANGES.—Hitherto the exchanges of this journal have not been conducted with proper regularity. It has neither been transmitted punctually to other journals, nor have they been received regularly in return. For the future this will be corrected; the journal will be forwarded immediately on its publication; and we hope our contemporaries will observe a like regularity with us.

{385}

CONTENTS.

Accidents caused by a very small dose of Santonine given to a child, . . . 16

Act relative to the sale of drugs, . . . 62

Action of Sulphuric Acid on the insoluble residue left by opium, exhausted by water. Formation of a new alkaloid, . . . 318

Adulteration of certain drugs, and the methods of detecting said adulteration, . . . 73

Adulteration of sulphate of quinine, . . . 142

Aleppo Scammony, results of the examination of several parcels of, . . . 165

Alcohol in essential oils, a test for, . . . 154

Aloe Juice, Socotrine, . . . 235

Aloine, the crystalline cathartic principle of Barbadoes aloes, . . . 177

Aloine, . . . 318

American Journal of Pharmacy, . . . 252

Amount of loss in powdering drugs, . . . 225

Anodyne liquor, Hoffman’s, . . . 209

Application of Organic Chemistry to perfumery, . . . 148

Barbadoes Aloes, Aloine, the cathartic principle of, . . . 177

Barium Compounds, . . . 161

Bark, extract of, . . . 317

Belladonna, accidental substitution of, for extract of dandelion, . . . 321

Bestucheff’s tincture, . . . 233

Blistering cerate, . . . 72

Broom, Chemical examination of, . . . 189

Butter of Cacao, . . . 224

Camphor, as a stimulant, . . . 63

Carbonate of potash, preparation of pure, . . . 33

Carbonate of Soda, preparation of pure, . . . 36

Cavendish Society, . . . 64

Cerate, blistering, . . . 72

Cicuta, . . . 299

Cider, poisoning by adulterated, . . . 287

Chemical technology, . . . 128

Cherry laurel water, strength of, . . . 26

Chloric ether, . . . 48

Chloroform, as a solvent, . . . 197

Chloroform, remarkable specimen of decomposed, . . . 116

Chloroform, prepared from essences of lemon, copaiba, peppermint and bergamotte, . . . 157

Chromic acid, an escharotic, . . . 127

Chronic diseases, cure of by movement, . . . 221

Coal gas, used as a source of heat in laboratories, . . . 296

Cod liver oil, chemical composition of, . . . 240

{386}

Code of ethics of the American Pharmaceutical Association, . . . 378

Coffinism, . . . 63

Colchicum Autumnale, . . . 95

College of Pharmacy, . . . 128, 352

Colored fires for pyrotechnical purposes, . . . 248

Committee of College of Pharmacy, . . . 3

Comments on comments, . . . 252

Constitution of the American Pharmaceutical Association, . . . 375

Convention of the American Pharmaceutical Association, . . . 159, 252, 285, 331, 352

Convention delegates to, . . . 224

Croton oil, Chemical examination of, . . . 172

Dandelion, compound fluid extract of Senna and, . . . 15

Delegates to the Convention, . . . 224

Delegates to the National Pharmaceutical Convention, . . . 320

Division of gum resins in potions and in diachylon plaster, . . . 58

Drugs, adulteration of, . . . 73

Drugs, law, report on, . . . 264

Drugs, amount of loss in powdering, . . . 225

Dry Extracts, . . . 158

Envelopment of pills, . . . 146

Emplastrum epispasticum, . . . 255

Ergotine, preparation of propylamine from, . . . 280

Escharotic, chromic acid as an, . . . 127

Essential oil of bitter almonds, . . . 205

Essential oils, test for alcohol in, . . . 154

Essence of jargonelle pear, . . . 60

Essence of pine apple, . . . 114

Estimation of strength of Medicinal Hydrocianic acid, of bitter almond water, and of cherry laurel water, . . . 26

Ether, chloric, . . . 197

Extract of bark, . . . 317

Extract of belladonna, accidental substitution of, for extract of dandelion, . . . 321

Extract of Senna and dandelion, . . . 15

Extractum lobeliæ fluidum, . . . 249

Extracts, dry, . . . 158

Facts and discoveries in science, . . . 373

False jalap, . . . 4

Fires, colored for pyrotechnical purposes, . . . 248

Fluid extract of senna and dandelion, . . . 15

Fusel oil, . . . 257

Galbanum plant, . . . 220

Gambir, . . . 219

Gas, coal, use of as a means of heat in the laboratory, . . . 296

General method for detecting alkaloids in cases of poisoning, . . . 343

General report on the drug law, . . . 264

{387}

Gelatinization of tincture of rhatany, . . . 319

Gelseminum sempervirens, . . . 368

Growth of plants in various gases, . . . 61

Guarana, . . . 243

Gum resins, division of in potions and in diachylon plaster, . . . 58

Gutta Taban, . . . 216

Heavy oil of wine, . . . 61

Heat, coal gas used as a means of, in the laboratory, . . . 296

Henry’s magnesia, . . . 127

Hints, practical, . . . 69, 133

Hoffman’s anodyne liquor, . . . 184

Honey, poisonous, . . . 350

Hydrate of potash, preparation of pure, . . . 33

Hydrate of soda, . . . 36

Hydrocyanic acid and bitter almond water, strength of, . . . 26

Hygeine, public, . . . 127

Hyposulphite of soda, easy method to make, . . . 259

Impurities, test for, in acetic acid, . . . 152

Indelible ink, . . . 106

Inks, writing, . . . 305, 371

Inspection of the drug law, . . . 381

Internal use of Atropine, . . . 125

Ioduretted oil, artificial, a substitute for cod liver oil, . . . 121

Ipecacuanha, tincture of, . . . 201

Iron, used in Medicine, notes on the preparations of, . . . 229

Iron, protiodide of, new method of preparing and exhibiting, . . . 250

Iron, soda, pyrophosphate of, . . . 92

Itch, ointment of stavesacre in, . . . 350

Jalap, two varieties of false, . . . 4

Jalap, resin of, . . . 155

Jargonelle pear, essence of, . . . 60

Lemon, essence of, preparation of chloroform from, . . . 157

Liquid socotrine aloes, . . . 235

Liquor magnesiæ citratis, . . . 132

Lobeliæ extractum fluidum, . . . 249

Loss in powdering drugs, . . . 225

Magnesiæ citratis, liquor, . . . 132

Magnesia, preparation of pure, . . . 199

Magnesia, Henry’s, . . . 184

Manganese, . . . 192

Manufacture of nitrate of potash, (saltpetre), . . . 273

Manufacture of writing inks, . . . 305, 371

Matico, pharmacology of, . . . 169

Means of detecting adulterations in sulphate of quinine, . . . 142

Measures, weights and, . . . 135

{388}

Medicine and pharmacy in Brazil, . . . 186

Medicines, act relating to, . . . 62

Medicine, preparations of iron used in, . . . 229

Medical hydrocyanic acid, estimation of strength of, . . . 26

Method of preparing and exhibiting protiodide of iron, . . . 250

Method of detecting organic alkaloids in cases of poisoning, . . . 343

Method of easy to make hyposulphite of soda, . . . 259

Mode of ascertaining the purity of essential oil of bitter almonds, . . . 205

Monesia, what is, . . . 167

Movements as a cure in chronic diseases, . . . 221

National Pharmaceutical Convention, . . . 285, 331

National Pharmaceutical Convention, delegates to, . . . 320

New alkaloid, discovery of, . . . 318

New remedies, . . . 351

New method of preparing protiodide of iron, . . . 250

Nicotine, poisoning by, . . . 17

Nitrogen of the air, other gases substituted for, . . . 61

Nitrate of potash, manufacture of, . . . 273

Notes in pharmacy, . . . 103, 129, 193, 260, 328

Notes on the division of gum resins in potions, . . . 58

Notice of some vegetable and animal substances, products of New Granada, . . . 89

Observations on a method of detecting organic alkaloids in cases of poisoning, . . . 343

Observations on the volatility and solubility of cantharidin, . . . 355

Officers of the College of Pharmacy, . . . 128

Oil, cod liver, . . . 240

Oil, Croton, . . . 172

Oil, fusel, . . . 257

Oil, ioduretted, . . . 121

Oil, of bitter almonds, . . . 205

Oil, heavy wine, . . . 65

Oil, test for alcohol in essential, . . . 154

Ointment, stavesacre, . . . 350

Ointment, stramonium, . . . 13

Opium, cultivation of, . . . 127

Opium, residue left by, . . . 318

Opium, letter on, . . . 45

Opium, observations on strength of tincture of, . . . 85

Opium, tincture of, . . . 279

Pear, essence of jargonelle, . . . 60

Perfumery, application of organic chemistry to, . . . 148

Pharmacopœia of the United States, . . . 27

Pharmaceutical Convention, . . . 30, 157, 193, 331

Pharmacy, . . . 119, 328

Pharmacy, College of, . . . 352

Pharmacy, Journal of, . . . 3, 252

{389}

Pharmacology of Matico, . . . 169

Pharmacy in Brazil, . . . 186

Pharmacy in Richmond, . . . 223

Pills, on the envelopment of, . . . 146

Pine apple, essence of, . . . 114

Poisoning by drinking adulterated cider, . . . 287

Poisoning, by tincture of aconite, . . . 190

Poisoning, Nicotine, . . . 17

Potash, nitrate of, . . . 273

Potions, division of gum resins in, . . . 58

Poisonous honey, . . . 350

Powdering drugs, loss in, . . . 225

Preparations of iron used in medicine, . . . 229

Preparations of the pharmacopœia of the United States, . . . 38

Preservation of iodide of iron, . . . 355

Practical hints, . . . 69

Propylamine, prepared from ergotine, . . . 280

Protiodide of iron, new method of preparing, . . . 250

Prosecution of a manufacturer of extract of dandelion, . . . 321

Pure magnesia, . . . 199

Pure Hydrate of potash, . . . 33

Pure Hydrate of Soda, . . . 36

Quinine, spurious sulphate of, . . . 192

Quinidine, . . . 141, 317

Santonine, . . . 16

Scammony resin, . . . 7

Scammony, Aleppo, . . . 165

Senna and dandelion, compound fluid extract of, . . . 15

Simaba Cedron, . . . 93

Socotorine aloes juice, . . . 235

Stavesacre ointment, . . . 350

Stramonium ointment, . . . 13

Sulphate of quinine, spurious, . . . 192

Sulphate of quinine, adulteration of, . . . 142

Sulphuric acid, action of on the residue left by opium, . . . 318

Suppositories of butter of cacao, . . . 224

Tannate of zinc, . . . 251

Technology, Chemical, . . . 317

Test for alcohol in essential oils, . . . 154

Tincture of aconite, poisoning by, . . . 190

Tincture, Bestucheff’s, . . . 233

Tincture, Ipecacuanha, . . . 201

Tincture, opium, . . . 279

Tincture of rhatany, . . . 319

United States Customs, . . . 289

{390}

Use of coal gas as a means of heat in laboratories, . . . 296

Valerianic acid, . . . 108

Virgin Scammony, . . . 7

Weights and Measures, . . . 135

Woorara, . . . 77

Writing inks, . . . 305, 371

Yatamansi, . . . 82

Yellow jessamine, . . . 368

Zinc, tannate of, . . . 251

INDEX OF AUTHORS.

BAILEY, DR. M. J.

United States Customs, . . . 289

BARNES, MR. J. B.

Valerianic Acid, and its salts, . . . 108

BERNARD, M. U.

On Woorara, . . . 77

BERNOUILLI, J. J.

A test for alcohol in essential oils, . . . 154

BOUNWYN, M. H.

New method of preparing and exhibiting protiodide of iron, . . . 250

BULL, B. W.

Virgin scammony, with some remarks upon the characteristics of scammony resin, . . . 7

Results of the examination of several parcels of Aleppo scammony, . . . 165

BUSHE, T. A.

On the Galbanum plant, . . . 220

CANAVAN, BENJ.

Notes in Pharmacy, No. 1, . . . 103

Notes in Pharmacy, No. 2, . . . 129

Notes in Pharmacy, No. 3, . . . 198

Notes in Pharmacy, No. 4, . . . 260

Notes in Pharmacy, No. 5, . . . 328

CHANTARD, M.

On the preparation of chloroform from the essences of lemon, copaiba, peppermint, and bergamotte, . . . 157

COGGESHALL, GEORGE D.

Remarks upon some of the preparations of the United States Pharmacopœia, 1851, . . . 38

The same continued, . . . 97

CURRIE, JOHN H.

On two varieties of false jalap, . . . 4

DORVAULT,

Remarks on the envelopment of pills, . . . 146

Pharmacology of Matico, with formulæ for its preparation, . . . 169

DUBLANE, M.

Chemical research on croton oil, . . . 172

DUPUY, EUGENE

On the preparation of stramonium ointment, . . . 13

Compound fluid extract of senna and dandelion, . . . 15

On blistering cerate, . . . 72

What is Monesia? . . . 167

{391}

GARROD, DR. A. B.

Observations on the strength of tincture of opium, . . . 85

GIBERT, M.

Report presented to the Academy of Medicine of Paris, on the substitution of an artificial ioduretted oil for cod liver oil, . . . 121

GLADSTONES, MESSRS.

On the growth of plants in various gases, especially substituting carbonic oxide, hydrogen and light carburetted hydrogen, for the nitrogen of the air, . . . 61

GUILLER, M.

Indelible ink, . . . 106

GUTHRIE, DR. C. B.

General report upon the results and effects of the drug law, . . . 264

HARRIS, C. T.

On the adulteration of certain drugs and the methods of detecting said adulterations, . . . 73

HOFFMAN, DR. A. W.

On the application of organic chemistry to perfumery, . . . 148

HOLTON, I. F.

Chloric ether, . . . 197

HOWARD, MR. ROBT.

Quinidine, . . . 141

KENT, EDWD. H.

On the heavy oil of wine, . . . 65

On the oil of grain spirit, or fusel oil, . . . 257

On the use of coal gas as a source of heat for the laboratory, . . . 296

LEPAGE, M. P. H.

On chloroform as a solvent, . . . 48

LEROY, G. F.

On tincture of Ipecacuanha, . . . 201

LIEBIG, J.

On the estimation of the strength of medicinal hydrocianic acid of bitter almond water, and of cherry laurel water, . . . 26

MAYER, FR.

Note on the preparation of Bestucheff’s tincture, . . . 233

MOHR, DR.

On dry extracts, . . . 158

On Henry’s Magnesia, . . . 184

MONZON, DR. M. J. RAF.

Notice of some vegetable and animal substances natural products of New Granada, . . . 89

ORFILA, M.

On poisoning by nicotine, . . . 17

PEREIRA, JONATHAN

On a remarkable specimen of decomposed chloroform, . . . 116

On socotrine aloe juice, . . . 235

PROCTER, W. JR.

On Hoffman’s anodyne liquor, . . . 209

Extractum Lobeliæ Fluidum, . . . 249

On the volatility and solubility of cantharidin, . . . 355

On Gelseminum Sempervirens, . . . 368

RITCHIE, D.

Guarana, . . . 243

SANDROCK, B.

Chemical examination of resin of jalap, . . . 155

SEEMAN, M. B.

On the simaba cedron, . . . 93

On Gutta Taban, . . . 216

On gambir, . . . 219

STAS, Prof.

Observations upon a general method for detecting the organic alkaloids in cases of poisoning, . . . 343

On aloine, . . . 177

STENHOUBE, DR. J.

Chemical examination of Broom, . . . 189

TALLON, JOHN C.

Easy method to make hyposulphite of soda, . . . 259

URE, ALEX.

On the soda pyrophosphate of iron, . . . 92

WIEGAND, THOS. S.

Liquor Magnesiæ citratis, . . . 132

{392}

WINCKLER, DR. H. S.

Chemical composition of cod liver oil, . . . 240

Preparation of propylamine from ergotine, . . . 280

WURTZ, H.

On the preparation of pure hydrate of potash and carbonate of potash, . . . 33

On the preparation of chemically pure hydrate and carbonate of soda, . . . 36

Preparation of barium compounds, . . . 161

Preparation of pure magnesia, . . . 199

On the preparations of iron used in medicine, . . . 229

On the preservation of iodide of iron, . . . 353

ZIMMER, MR.

On the adulteration of sulphate of quinine, and the means of its detection, . . . 142

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

Original spelling and grammar have been generally retained, with some exceptions noted below. Errata mentioned in the endmatter of monthly issues have been ignored—left unchanged. Original printed page numbers are shown like this: “{52}”. Original small caps are now uppercase. Italics look _like this_. Footnotes have been relabeled 1–30. The commas used to end several paragraphs by mistake, e.g. on page 176, were changed to full stops. Superscript x looks like this: “^x” or “^{x}”. Subscript x looks like “‗{x}”. The transcriber produced the cover image and hereby assigns it to the public domain. Original page images are available from archive.org—search for “newyorkjournalof11852newy”.

Ditto marks, including “Do” or “do”, have been eliminated, replaced by repeated text. In a table on page 130, white space was employed as a ditto mark. In this table, the white space ditto and “Nitrici” have been replaced with “Acidi hydro nitrici”.

Page 36. The formula for ordinary monohydrated bicarbonate of soda is retained. The phrase “lost by ignition; O. 845 grn.” was changed to “lost by ignition; 0.845 grn.”

Page 44. Large curly brackets “}” employed as graphic devices to indicate combination of information over two or more lines of text were eliminated. There were examples of this on pages 44 and 58. The text was restructured as necessary to retain the evident meaning of the original brackets.

Page 63; “sufficient t supply” to “sufficient to supply”.

Page 70; added a full stop after “the doctor knows but little more”.

Page 81; “3nd” to “2nd”.

Page 86; “constitutents” to “constituents”.

Page 90; “exeoriating” to “excoriating”.

Page 100; “with fonr ounces” to “with four ounces”.

Page 110. The formula for valerianic acid is retained.

Page 122; “phrosphorus” to “phosphorus”.

Page 124; “a renecessary” to “are necessary”.

Page 126; “Anaethesia” to “Anaesthesia”.

Page 127; “engagaged” to “engaged”.

Page 142; “800 gains” to “800 grains”.

Page 167; “_Chrysophi lum;_” to “_Chrysophi lum._;”.

Page 169; “fossœ”, retained, possibly should be “fossæ”.

Page 170; “over their property” is retained, but maybe should be “owe their property”.

Page 171; “represents 1-10 of its weight of matico” is retained.

Page 209; “gavity” to “gravity”.

Page 225. In the table row “Potassæ Nitrat.”, “3 98” was changed to “3.98”.

Page 228. In table row “——— Bi-tartrat.”, “ 45” was changed to “.45”. In row “Buchu”, “ 96” was changed to “.96”.

Page 243; “hyrate” to “hydrate”. The words “guarana” and “guaraná”, in various states of capitalization, have been retained as printed throughout the book.

Page 244; “imformation” was changed to “information”, and “knowlege” to “knowledge”. The word “angnlato” is retained, but possibly should be “angulato”.

Page 249; “Salpetre” to “Saltpetre”.

Page 250; “incoveniences” to “inconveniences”.

Page 254; “evarated” to “evaporated”.

Page 259; “preciptate” to “precipitate”.

Page 261; “qnantity” to “quantity”.

Page 278; “mannfacture” to “manufacture”.

Page 280; unmatched right parenthesis was removed from “part i., p. 22)”.

Page 287; “rceive” to “receive”.

Page 297; “atttched” to “attached”.

Page 302. The original quotation punctuation is retained, although it appears wrong. The first paragraph has no left quotation mark, and the fourth paragraph has no end quotation mark. Similarly, the original quotation marks are retained on page 303.

Page 326, 327; “propable” and “propably” retained.

Page 330. A right parenthesis is added after “(perhaps it might be deemed worthy of the action of the convention” to close the left parenthesis.

Page 357; “catharidin” to “cantharidin”.

Page 369; “commom” to “common”.

Page 381; “satisfacfactory” to “satisfactory”. Also, there is a letter to “Geo. D. Goggeshall”. The name has been retained on page 381, although the only other reference to “Goggeshall” was on page 390—see below—where it was evidently wrong, and refers to “Coggeshall”.

Page 383. A matching right quotation mark was added to ‘say that the “bastard varieties _sell at higher_ prices in proportion to their _resemblance to the officinal kinds_?’.

Page 390. The name “Goggeshall” has been changed to “Coggeshall” on page 390 (Index of Authors) to conform with its position in the alphabetical list, and to agree with the names found on the referenced pages 38 and 97.