Chemical Preparations and Drugs. 97 



and 4.8 per cent., the capacity of binding oxygen to 8.9 and 6.2 per cent., respectively. 

 There was moderate leucocytose and, for six hours, anuria. In the urine j9-amino- 

 phenol was present. 



A further case of poisoning mentioned was brought about by resorption through 

 the skin (the garments had been soiled with oil containing nitrobenzene). 



As to the detection of nitrobenzene in bitter almond oil, see page 6 of this Report. 



Peru Balsam. — A balsam of Peru, sent us for examination, was greatly adulterated 

 or rather resulted to be a composition, but was termed genuine by the supplier, who 

 refused to take it back, in spite of the repeated reclamations of the buyer. As the 

 supplier was a large concern and in a position, no doubt, to have the article properly 

 examined, this case is a perfect riddle for us. If one had taken the trouble to look 

 into the matter, the determination of the specific gravity would have revealed already 

 that there was something the matter. 



Said balsam behaved as follows: — d 15 o 1.1387, cinnamein content 63.6 per cent., 

 ester v. of the cinnamein 225.4, nitric acid test == bluish green colouring. There 

 could not be any question of a pure, genuine balsam. Its specific gravity and the 

 ester v. of the cinnamein were too low; besides, the cinnamein differed from the 

 normal product in that it was not liquid at room-temperature, but semi-solid. The 

 nitric acid test, leading to a golden yellow colouring in the case of genuine balsam 

 of Peru, also indicated adulteration. 



For any expert the stuff would have been suspicious on account of its odour and 

 abnormally light colour. It is therefore remarkable, that the supplying concern in 

 question did not notice anything. Needless to say that such a concoction does not 

 answer the requirements of the pharmacopoeia. 



Peru Balsam, artificial. — We have taken up the manufacture and are pleased 

 to state that our product meets with increasing popularity. 



Bark of Rhamnus Frangula. — Through steam distillation of the bark of Rhamnus 

 Frangula. O. A. Oesterle x ) obtained 0.05 to 0.1 percent, of a crystalline substance of 

 strongly fusty smell, which had probably formed only during the distillation. The 

 product contained, apart from dark coloured impurities, small quantities of a white 

 crystalline body, insoluble in soda solution; a compound precipitated in the form of 

 a jelly from hot soda solution; a body soluble in soda lye, crystallizing from water 

 in radiate form, and a compound insoluble in soda lye, crystallizing from alcohol in 

 the shape of brownish yellow scales. This inodorous and tasteless substance had 

 the empiric formula C15H12O4, m. p. between 100 and 101°. 



Resin of a Peruvian Styracea. — E. Maldonado 1 ) examined a resinous substance, 

 known in the Province of Cuzco (Peru) by the name of incienso macho and frequently 

 used for incense, perfumery and medical purposes. The drug comes probably from 

 a variety of Styrax (Styrax ovatum, A. DC, occurs in the valleys of Cuzco, Umbara 

 Valley) and forms irregular, hard, reddish-black or black masses. They are covered 

 with a greenish dust and taste aromatic at first, then sharp. The fractured surface 

 exhibits a brilliant, vitreous, yellow colour. The odours recalls that of vanilla. The 



l ) Bol. Farm, de Lima of June 30™, 1920. As per Chemist and Druggist 95 (1921), 207. 



