SPONGIA. 



which one pound of Mediterranean natural sponge ,is burnt a 

 cording to the old Pharmacopeial directions, and this triturated wil 

 alcohol while still hot. The mixture is allowed then to digest unt 

 all soluble material is extracted, when it is filtered. This preparatic 

 varies somewhat in composition, owing to differences in the spong 

 but in general qualities it acts uniformly, as a whole. 



Sponges are. possessed of some form of mineral skeleton, calcan 

 ous, siliceous, and horny. They also enclose foreign substances whic 

 aid in giving them stability. These latter substances may be largel 

 separated, mechanically, and magnesium and calcium salts may be di; 

 solved by dilute acids. For the making of pharmaceutical preparj 

 tions, the natural Mediterranean sponge, only, by this writer, is en 

 ployed, never sponge that has been acid-cleaned, or chlorine-bleache' 

 Scrap sponge (soft trimmings) is also very inferior, yielding litt] 

 ash, and that of a poor quality. The whole sponge, carrying the ba; 

 attachment should be employed, the ash of several bales of sue 

 sponges running from 30 to 36 per cent. Such a natural (MediterrE 

 nean) Spongia Usta may be described as follows : 



Spongia Usta varies, not only by reason of the sponge constitv 

 ents, but through process influences. If the sponge be burned b 

 allowing air to enter the vessel and thus produce a flame, or if th 

 temperature be at first very hot and the process soon ended at a hig 

 heat, so as to dissipate all possible volatile constituents, the produc 

 is inferior. The combustion process must be a slow, smothering ma 

 nipulation, in which, by a gradually raised heat in a vessel provide 

 with a smoke exit, the product comes mainly to a gray-black or brow 

 color. Throughout this charred, soft, pulverulent texture are to t 

 found silvery specks of mineral matter, and even calcined shell, of cor 

 siderable size. The odor of the ash reminds one of burnt coal of 

 marine nature. The taste is strongly saline, accompanied by a pei 

 sistent, sulphide of hydrogen odor, and a sulphuret (sulphide) aftei 

 taste. Treated with sulphuric acid in a covered beaker glass; effei 

 vescence follows, and violet fumes arise that change starch paper t 

 a deep blue. 



THE SPECIFIC MEDICINE SPONGIA. 



Characteristics. — This preparation has a golden yellow color, an 

 the odor of alcohol. Each minim represents one grain of sponge. Th 

 evaporation of 10 C.c. leaves about 0.58 per cent, of a crystalline res 

 due, yellowish, and of a saline odor and taste. When in a beake 

 glass (covered by a watch crystal) sulphuric acid is poured over th: 

 residue effervescence follows, the mass assuming a violet color, b 

 liberation of iodine, in places being very dark brown. The beake 

 becomes next filled with the characteristic violet iodine fumes whic 

 change starch paper to blue, or even to brown. On standing, the iodin 

 fumes condense on the cover glass and the cooler parts of the beake 

 as minute needle-like crystals. If the sulphuric acid treated mass 1 

 exhausted by 10 Cc. chloroform and filtered, a deep violet red soli 

 tion results, which on spontaneous evaporation yields minute iodir 



42 



