2i6 THE JOURNAIv OF PHARMACOLOGY. 



this way it differs much from the hairs of the Camel, Llama, Alpaca and 

 Vicugnas which are always gray to red-brown. The various yellow- 

 gray, brown and black natural colors of hairs and wools are in the first 

 place much less affected by acids and alkalies, and secondly distributed en- 

 tirely differently in the fiber than the artificially applied dyes. 



The natural pigment is in the granules contained in the fibrous portion 

 and medullary cells. In the medullary cells the granules are massed, but 

 are arranged in longitudinal rows in the fibers. The walls are colorless if 

 the fibers are but slightly pigmented. On the other hand, dark-colored 

 hairs have the cell walls impregnated with coloring matter, whereas arti- 

 ficially dyed hairs have the cell walls evenly colored. For that reason the 

 lumen of the elements of artificially colored hairs becomes indistinct, 

 whereas in natural-colored hairs only the pigment will reveal it, 



For this reason natural pigmented wools will present a striate appearance 

 due to the arrangement of the granules. Artificially dyed wool never will. 



( To be Continued. ) 



Dispensing Gapsules in Dry Form. 



By Chas. a. Lotz, Ph.G., 1900. 

 The method of massing drugs preparatory to filling in capsules, is 

 gradually going into disuse. Many of our doctors insist upon capsules 

 being made up of the dry powder. 



This is generally very convenient, as in the case of 



Pr. Quininge Sulphas 5j. 



Pulvis Ext. Nucis Vomicae gr. x. 



Salolum 3j. 



Phenacetine 5j. 



Misce et divide capsule No. xxiv. 

 To mass this it requires some work and patience, whereas, if you trit- 

 urate the ingredients well and ascertain how many grains will be con- 

 tained in each capsule, you can select the proper size of capsule, and, 

 conveniently hanging your delicate scale, balance it on one side with the 

 required size capsule and weight, and then proceed to fill your capsule 

 with the dry powder, weighing each one after filling. After a little while 

 you get the " knack " of it and it becomes a pleasure. 



The second reason is the rapid disintegration with which the capsule 

 meets after reaching the patient's stomach, and gives a quicker effect 

 than if it was a hard mass which would have to be dissolved. 



Of course, many drugs cannot be put up in dry form ; one which recently 

 came to my notice was Ichthyol, to be put up in capsules ; the easiest 

 way out of it was to add Powd. Althea q.s. to make a convenient mass. 



Then, again, we have solid extracts, and unless you have powdered ex- 

 tracts on hand, these will have to be massed. 



