AvcustT 7, 1902] 
interval of five and a half hours show a variation in velocity 
of about 14 km., or nearly half of the whole range yet observed. 
DousLe STARS.—As an extract from the Monthly Notices 
R.A.S. for May, 1902, the Rev. T. E. Espin publishes his 
micrometrical measures of double stars made at the Wolsing- 
ham Observatory with a 17}-inch reflector. 
The catalogue contains several records of new components, 
such as in 359, where two new components, C and D, have 
be en observed, and 5 3010, where a third component has been 
observed for the first time. There are also several variations of 
distance and position angle noted, and new values given to 
them, e.g. in = 2708 the measures made by Mr. Espin vary 
considerably from those made by the discoverer of this system, 
Prof, Hall, but this discrepancy is accounted for by a movement 
of 0°26 towards 137°7 which has been observed at Wolsing- 
ham. In regard to @ Persei (= 296) it is stated that the proper 
motion during the last 116 years has been perlectly rectilinear, 
all the observations being well represented by 
A 
iT. 
It has been observed that 51321 is a similar system to 61 
Cygni, P.M., the two components A and B both being of a 
reddish-yellow colour, whilst a third component, too faint to 
measure, was discovered on January 22, 1901. 
LIGHT OF THE GALAXY AND BriGHT STars.—In No. 
3803 of the Astronomische Nachrichten, Mr. C. Easton gives 
the results of his researches in comparing the light of the Galaxy 
to that of the comparatively bright stars of the Milky Way of the 
Northern Hemisphere. 
Mr. Easton divided the galactic zone between — 18” galactic 
latitude and +18” galactic latitude into 108 rectangles, and then, 
by an ingenious method, compared the light emitted from the 
area of each rectangle with the light emitted by the stars of 
the Northern Milky Way. The results show that there isa 
correlation and parallelism between the distribution of the 
galactic light and the stars of Argelander. On this basis Mr. 
Easton deduces that the stars in general may not simply be 
isolated units, but they may all belong to such agglomerations 
as we believe make up the Milky Way, the only real difference 
being in their relative distances from us; he suggests that the 
apparently crowded parts of the heavens, such as occur in the 
region of Cygnus, are parts where we get two such agglomerations 
at different distances, overlapping at the edges, and supports this 
theory by noting the fact that in such regions, both the galactic 
light and the brighter stars increase in density together. 
16/’"363 + 0”-029 (¢ - 1866'0). 
297° 162 +0°'075 (¢— 1866'0). 
il 
PERIODICITY OF VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS AND EARTH- 
QUAKES.—Circular No. 49 of the Wolsingham Observations con- 
tains a summary, by the Rev. T. E. Espin, of the results obtained 
by arranging and charting the data which he has collected in 
regard to the times of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. 
These results point to a period of between eight and nine 
years in the phenomena of which Mr. Espin has received the 
records, 
This period agrees with the period of revolution of the 
moon’s perigee, and further investigation indicates that the 
greatest volcanic activity takes place when the perigee occurs 
at its maximum northerly declination. 
Minor PLANETS.—Prof. Max Wolf records the observations, 
during July, of six minor planets, giving their R.A., declination 
and magnitude. Amongst them is anew minor planet 1902 JL, 
the position of which on July 9, 1902, at 12h. 13°7m. (Heidel- 
berg mean time);wastR. A. =20h. 25°9m., Decl. = — 19° 58’, and 
the daily movement of which is — om.°8, —6' (Astronomische 
Nachrichten, No. 3803). 
PHARMACOLOGY AT THE BRITISH 
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
THE section of pharmacology at the British Medical Associa- 
tion at Manchester this year was distinctly active, and many 
interesting discussions were held and papers read. The first 
day’s discussion was devoted to a subject of great practical 
value to physicians, viz. the unexpected and undesired effects 
of medicines. Sir Lauder Brunton introduced the discussion 
NO. 1710, VOL, 66] 
NATURE 
353 
and his paper was full of interest. He treated at length the 
various factors which tend to render medicines either ineffective 
or productive of unusual effects. Speaking of tolerance, he 
instanced a case in which as much as 24 grains of morphine 
was used bya patient as a hypodermic injection, the ordinary 
dose being one-third of a grain. Taking arsenic as an example, 
he showed how the form in which this was given greatly in- 
fluenced the results produced by it. The influence of certain 
remedies in producing skin rashes, especially those of the anti- 
pyrin series, was also referred to, and finally the occasionally 
extraordinary effects of some of the antitoxin sera ; especially in 
this connection antistreptococcic serum was referred to as having 
in a few minutes produced in a patient an almost universal 
swelling of the subcutaneous tissues (general cedema). The 
varying effects of opium were, according to the lecturer, most 
probably to be explained by the inconstant chemical composition 
of this substance and its preparations. 
Subsequently several papers were read. One which aroused 
great interest was communicated by Prof. Liebreich, of Berlin, 
upon the therapeutic value of alkaline waters of the Vichy type. 
The lecturer refused to believe that waters artificially made from 
the data of chemical analysis were of the same therapeutic value 
as the naturally occurring waters. Especially in this connection 
was the presence in natural waters of a substance of colloidal 
nature, known as glairin, of importance. In continuation, the 
lecturer indicated the special conditions for which Vichy waters 
were to be recommended. In the discussion which ensued, Prof. 
Tunnicliffe drew attention to the work of Nageli, Locke and 
others upon the physiological action of chemically unrecognisable 
quantities of certain substances, especially, for instance, copper, 
and thought that for this reason the chemical analysis of natural 
waters afforded, although perhaps the best available, neverthe- 
less not entirely trustworthy data for the artificial manufacture 
of medicinal waters. Papers were subsequently read by Prof. 
Marshall, upon the action of heroine and dionine upon the circula- 
tion, and by Dr.{Dixon, upon the question of injectable purgatives. 
An interesting paper upon synthetic purgatives was com- 
municated by Prof. Tunnicliffe. It appears from recent 
researches into the chemistry of the vegetable purgatives, 
especially of the rhubarb group, that the active purgative group 
of these substances is an anthraquinone derivative. Starting 
from this fact, cert@in artificial anthraquinone derivatives have 
been made in the laboratory, and one anthrapurpurin acetate 
has been introduced into therapeutics as a purgative. This 
substance is very interesting and marks a decided advance in 
pharmacology, since it must be regarded as the first synthetic 
vegetable purgative. According to Prof. Tunnicliffe, however, 
the phthaleins exert a purgative action, and have certain advan- 
tages over both the natural purgatives and also the artificially 
prepared anthraquinone derivatives. The substance of especial 
interest in this connection is the chemical indicator phenol- 
phthalein, a dihydroxyphthalophenone. This substance is now to 
be introduced under the name purgen, and the lecturer gave an ac- 
count of the results of its administration as a purgative in 1000 
cases, 
On Thursday the section was devoted to a discussion upon 
the therapeutic value of arsenic. The discussion was introduced 
by Dr. Ralph Stockman. The author gave the result of certain 
observations he had made upon the action of arsenic upon the 
bone marrow. These researches included microscopical examina- 
tions of the bone marrow of patients who had died in the Man- 
chester beer-poisoning epidemic. The discussion was followed by 
a paper by Prof. Liebreich upon the therapeutic value of can- 
tharidin. In this paper the author discussed the 70/e played by 
the capillaries in the absorption and elimination of poisons. 
He ascribed to each capillary area a specific irritability. Dr. 
Pope subsequently read a paper upon arsenic in the treatment 
of chorea. 
Friday was occupied by a discussion on the treatment of 
diphtheria. Subsequently several papers were read of consider- 
able pharmacological interest. 
In reviewing the proceedings of the section we may certainly 
say that it evinced a healthy activity ; the material to be dealt 
with was in excess of the available time. The meetings were 
well attended by pharmacologists from England, Scotland, 
Ireland and Wales, and it is certainly to be expected that they 
will perform the true function of such assemblies and act as a 
healthy stimulant to further research work in this important 
subject. 
