June, 1920] PHARMACOGNOSY 411 



saponins have a harmful and toxic effect on the heart. — In view of the fact of the great varia- 

 tion of the constituents of Digitalis caused hy climatic and soil conditions, it is essential 

 that means be found for estimating the really valuable constituents. To do this, two colori- 

 metric processes for estimating the relative quantities of the glucosides present have been 

 devised. Colorimetric process "A" estimates the water-soluble glucosides only and is desig- 

 nated the "therapeutic value" of the Digitalis tincture. Colorimetric process "B" estimates 

 the total glucosides, viz.: water-soluble glucosides, saponins and digitoxin. Subtracting 

 "A" from "B" gives the "toxic value" of the tincture. To complete the standardisation of 

 the drug the minimum lethal dose should be determined either by the usual injection method 

 or by the perfusion method (which is explained in detail in the paper). — In conclusion the au- 

 thor lays much stress on the necessity for careful cul ivation of the best strainsof plants and 

 the gathering of the leaves under the most suitable conditions year by year, to obtain as uni- 

 form tinctures as possible. — E. N. Gathercoal. 



2815. Hofman, J. J. De aetherische olie van Cymbopogon Javanensis. Bijdrage tot de 

 kennis der Indische grasolien. [The ethereal oil of Cymbopogon Javanensis. Contribution to 

 the knowledge of the oils of Indian grasses.] Pharm. Weekblad 56: 1279-1289. 1919.— The 

 physical and chemical constants of the oil are given and are compared with those of oils ob- 

 tained from other species of the Andropogoneae, such as palmarosa oil, citronella oil, lemon- 

 grass oil, etc. — H. Engelhardl. 



2816. Mayek, Joseph L. Quantitative estimation of menthol in alcoholic solution. Jour. 

 Amer. Pharm. Assoc. 8: 572. 1919. — For the quantitative determination of menthol in alco- 

 holic solutions the author gives the following method: Into an accurately weighed Petri 

 dish (a large watch glass will serve equally well) accurately measure 5 cc. of the sample, 

 then place in a desiccator over sulphuric acid and allow to remain over one night, after which 

 weigh. The increase in weight is due to menthol, the purity of which can be easily determined 

 by making a melting point determination and other physical and chemical tests which may be 

 needed. — Anton Hogstad, Jr. 



2817. Power, Frederick B. The odorous principles of plants. Chem. and Druggist 91: 

 971-975, 1003-1008. 1919. — This address on the distribution and characters of some of the 

 odorous principles of plants falls into two main divisions. First, a discussion of the chemical 

 nature of essential oils, their wide distribution in plants, the peculiar fact that oils widely 

 different in their chemical nature may occur in the same plant, and the relation between the 

 odor and the chemical nature of the oil. Second, the oils obtained from the natural groups 

 or families of plants are described and not alone is their chemistry presented, but frequently 

 their economic use and value, their adulteration and their commercial production. Among 

 the families included are the following: Coniferae, Gramineae, Liliaceae, Iridaceae, Orchid- 

 aceae, Annonaceae, Lauraceae, Cruciferae, Rosaceae, Myrtaceae, Umbelliferae, Labiatae, 

 Compositae. All of the plants mentioned are identified with their botanic names. In con- 

 clusion, the author discusses the world production and trade in volatile oils. The address is 

 a r6sum6 of the most modern thought on this subject. — E. N. Gathercoal. 



PLANT CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACEUTICAL ASSAYS 



2818. Pratt, J. H., and Hyman Morrison. Activity of American digitalis. Jour. 

 Amer. Med. Assoc. 73: 1606-1611. 1919. — Before the world war the greater part of the digi- 

 talis (Digitalis purpurea) used in this country came from Germany and Austria though some 

 was imported from England. As early as 1868 Duffield had made tests of American-grown 

 digitalis which, he claimed, when properly gathered and dried was better than the English 

 drug. But for many years the American leaf was unused. In 1910, Wesselhoeft, and in 

 1911, Hale published assays showing that the American drug was superior to the English 

 leaves with which it was compared. In 1916, Rowntree and Macht found that digitalis 

 from the drug garden of the University of Wisconsin was more active than the samples of 

 English or of old German leaves with which it was compared. In 1917, Roth concluded that 



