Chapter XI: Section 3: This Act shall not take effect until the first day of July, (8)

[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._

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.