300 PHARMACOGNOSY [BoT. Absts., Vol. VII, 



results in a scientific way. As the U. S. Pharm. IX does not contain a water extraction test, 

 authors suggest that one be included in the forthcoming revision. The weight of the residue 

 obtained, as per method given, should not exceed 0.25 per cent. Authors see no value in or 

 need for an alcohol extraction, as the water and ether extractions suffice. In a comparison 

 of the Soxhlet, U. S. Pharm., and the Aliquot methods for ether extract, practically all ether- 

 soluble material was obtained by the first method in six hours. The U. S. Pharm. method 

 gave about 40 per cent and the Aliquot method about 50 per cent. Suggested standard require- 

 ments for absorbent cotton for the forthcoming revision of the U. S. Pharm. are given. — • 

 Anton Hogstad, Jr. 



2089. Eberle, E. G. World trade, production and consumption of crude botanical drugs. 

 Jour. Amer. Pharm. Assoc. 9: 947. 1920. — An editorial discussion of a recent report of the 

 U. S. Tariff Commission, in which the probable future of American drug cultivation and, in 

 connection therewith, the world trade, production, and consumption of crude botanical drugs 

 are considered. Author quotes various portions of the report referring to the American 

 crude drug industry in which it is recommended that the American industry be aided and 

 consideration given to the advisability of promoting and continuing cultivation of the indis- 

 pensable drugs which have been successfully produced under American climate, labor, and 

 economic conditions. — Anton Hogstad, Jr. 



2090. EcKLER, Charles R. A contribution to the pharmacology of cotton root bark. 

 Lilly Sci. Bull. 1 : 349-368. 3 pi. 1920. — Animal tests were made on several commercial 

 samples of green and dried cotton root bark, and on the bark of thirteen different varieties 

 of cotton. These tests were made in comparison with ergot and pituitary extract. Several 

 different animal tests were used, including the cock's comb method, blood pressure determi- 

 nations, and the isolated and intact uterus methods. The conclusions reached were that the 

 physiological activity of cotton root bark was not comparable to that possessed by ergot. — 

 Fred A. Miller. 



I 



2091. Glover, Geo. H. Plant poisoning. Amer. Jour. Vet. Med. 15:315-316, 338. 

 1920. — An address delivered before the Missouri Valley Veterinary Association covering in a 

 general way the conditions under which the poisoning of livestock takes place. — C. D. Marsh. 



2092. Greenish, Henrt G. Uzara: what is it? Pharm. Jour. 105:474-475. 1920.— A 

 new remedy useful for dysentery and diarrhoea, originally obtained from native medicine- 

 men of the Lake district of equatorial Africa. It is the root probably of a species of the 

 Asclepiadaceae, a shrub with long thin twigs and long narrow leaves in pairs. The root is 

 large and woody, somewhat aromatic and very bitter. It is exhausted with 10 per cent alcohol. 

 A number of active principles have been isolated. To one is attributed a soothing action on 

 the intestine; one or several others act on the circulation and on the nerve-system. Intra- 

 venous injections of small doses produce a rise in blood pressure similar to the action of 

 adrenalin. The Biological-Agricultural Institute in Amani submitted herbarium material 

 and root samples of a drug, used by the Kaffirs for colic, which was identified as Dicoma ano- 

 mala of the Compositae. It is questionable whether this plant is the true source of uzara. — 

 E. N. Gathercoal. 



2093. Holmes, E. M. On the use of poke root in medicine, Pharm. Jour. 105 : 417. 1920. 

 — That Phytolacca decandra possesses active properties there can be no doubt. Its physio- 

 logical action and its chemical constituents seem worthy of careful investigation, especially 

 the saponin, which may possess haemolytic activity. The drug appears to be especially 

 valuable in resolving tumors of the breast. The fresh root, undried, is the most active, and 

 is applied externally over the tumor and kept wet with the tincture until well-developed 

 pustular sores are formed. Several cases of tumor and cancer of the breast as also of epithe- 

 lioma are cited in which tumor resolution with complete cure has resulted. — E. N. Gathercoal. 



. 2094. HoMMEL, Philemon E. The lemon. Practical Druggist 38ii: 20-21. 1920.— An 

 account of the history, structure, constituents and medicinal uses of the lemon. — Wm. B. Day. 



